Curt Johnson
Explore Minnesota Tourism
651-297-3488
Curt.johnson@state.mn.us

Chuck Lennon
Explore Minnesota Tourism
651-297-3291
Chuck.lennon@state.mn.us

SAINT PAUL, MINN. — April 17, 2007 –What’s your favorite hidden beach in Minnesota? Or your favorite place to stay? At the forefront of the tourism industry, Explore Minnesota Tourism unveils “My Favorite Minnesota,” a user-generated content campaign featuring a completely revamped Web site (www.exploreminnesota.com) and a print and television advertising campaign.

Exploreminnesota.com features 15 lists from Minnesota residents — including former Olympian Tony Benshoof, actor Stacia Rice, DNR employee Paul Sundberg and golf course photographer Peter Wong — all of whom are experts in the categories and activities that they cover. These lists include Minnesota’s best extreme sports experiences, performing arts venues, camping and golf courses, among others. To view these lists and video about each list, visit www.exploreminnesota.com.

The Web site provides Minnesotans and Minnesota enthusiasts the opportunity to create their own lists of favorites. To build your own list of beaches, restaurants or anything else you love in Minnesota, visit www.exploreminnesota.com and click on “Add My List.”

“There are so many things to do and places to stay in Minnesota,” says Mary Breen, one of the inaugural list-makers and owner of Minneapolis’s Calhoun Cycle. “I shared my list so I could let everyone in on my family’s secret, our favorite Minnesota bike trails. Now I look forward to seeing what other people will reveal. Maybe someone will have some good tips for me?”

“Who do you trust for your travel information? I like to hear from people who have been to the places I’m going, not just read a brochure,” says John Edman, director, Explore Minnesota Tourism. “The new site will offer just that. And we know the Web is where we need to be with our marketing dollars. In fact, more than half of all tourists use the Internet exclusively to plan their trips.”

“We’re very enthusiastic about this campaign,” Edman adds, “People who have never been to Minnesota will be ‘in the know.’ Even Minnesota natives will learn from our site. With the new exploreminnesota.com, everyone has insider access – and the fun part is, you can put in your own two cents.”

More information on Explore Minnesota Tourism and ways to post your own “My Favorite Minnesota” tips can be found at www.exploreminnesota.com.