On June 9, Minneapolis hospitality leaders, Meet Minneapolis, and the City of Minneapolis formed the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District, the first tourism improvement district in Minnesota. The initiative, approved by the Minneapolis City Council, is expected to generate an estimated $7 million annually through a 2% assessment on lodging properties, providing sustainable funding for tourism promotion.
“The passage of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District ordinance is a forward-thinking step for Minneapolis,” says Minneapolis City Council Member Katie Cashman in a prepared statement. “I’m proud to have authored this ordinance that directly supports our city’s vital tourism and hospitality industry without placing a burden on our residents. With strong backing from our hotels, this initiative will allow Minneapolis to compete more effectively for conventions, major events, and visitors—bringing jobs, revenue, and vibrancy to our city. This is a win for our tourism economy, our workforce, and the many workers who benefit from a thriving visitor economy.”
The tourism improvement district will fund high-impact initiatives designed to attract more overnight visitors and elevate Minneapolis’ competitiveness among peer cities. Priorities include integrated marketing and public relations campaigns, sales efforts to drive group and meeting bookings, destination branding, and the development of signature visitor experiences. The district also will support sustainability programs and workforce development, helping to cultivate a vibrant, well-equipped hospitality sector.
“The Minneapolis City Council’s approval of the tourism improvement district marks a significant step forward for our city’s hospitality and tourism industry,” says Michael Clark, general manager of the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, and chair of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District task force. “I’m proud of the role our city’s hotel leaders played in supporting this important initiative to invest in our future. The Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District gives us another tool to increase our competitiveness with peer cities, drive hotel bookings, and ensure a more stable and resilient hospitality sector. This is a smart, strategic move that will bring measurable returns to Minneapolis hotels and benefit our entire community.”
The Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District is the result of a strong collaboration between the city’s hotels, Meet Minneapolis, and city leadership, demonstrating what is possible when stakeholders align around a shared vision for sustainable tourism.
“We are grateful for the Minneapolis City Council’s approval of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District ordinance. It is a transformative moment for Minneapolis tourism,” says Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “This dedicated funding mechanism will give our city the ability to attract more visitors and events, and generate greater economic impact for our community. The leadership and partnership of our city’s hotels in making this investment possible will allow us to advance the shared goals of our tourism and hospitality industry. Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient hospitality workforce and visitor economy for Minneapolis.”
Civitas, a tourism promotion consultant based in Sacramento, California, worked with Minneapolis stakeholders to shepherd the initiative.
