The Hastings Chamber of Commerce is monitoring local tourism and the state of local businesses
heading into the spring season, which includes a look back at how tourism can affect the local economy into the future. President of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Kristy Barse said tourism over the winter stayed steady from last year, which is a good sign that Hastings is providing the accommodations the public needs, and the chamber is looking to take advantage of spring break and the possible lack of out-of-state travel to provide a boost.
“We’re looking to take advantage of that by reaching out to the communities that surround us, so in Dakota County, Washington County, Rochester, the Twin Cities. We send out a massive marketing campaign with a spring break itinerary, just encouraging them to still enjoy family time and get away to someplace close and come enjoy some time in Hastings. We just launched a large email campaign that with a family-based itinerary or how you can spend a couple days coming and visiting Hastings. It’s budget friendly, it’s close to home, and if you want a staycation we have some great lodging options that are available for them as well.”
Barse said this is an expansion from an initiative from last year in the Rochester area that showed positive results.
“It’s one thing to see the numbers as far as how many people opened the email or how many people clicked through, but when you hear from local restaurants or retailers or hotels, that they are seeing people from communities we are sending the email to, that’s when we really know the campaign is working. So, we’re hoping to be able to get some of that verbal feedback again this year, but our campaign was really focused on the Rochester area. So, it will be interesting to see now that we’ve been able to broaden that, and include some more communities, how many people actually travel to Hastings over their spring break.”
Barse also said there are multiple resources both residents and those visiting the community can use to find a fun way to spend time in Hastings and utilize local businesses.
“Anyone interested in the community event calendar, or if you have visiting friends and family, or just want to know more about the tourism fun assets in Hastings our visitor website is VisitHastingsMN.org. And for anyone really interested in shopping local, which I hope all of our listeners are, we have a list of local businesses and also information about programs including the partnership with the school district on our chamber website which is HastingsMN.org. “
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