Tourism Task Force

Tourism touches all aspects of a community – businesses, retail, government services, the natural environment and local residents.
Efforts are continuous at the Chamber to involve representatives of these various elements to be part of the tourism task-force. If you would like to be part of this group that is viatal in keeping Faribault prosperous through marketing and promotion efforts, contact Todd Ginter at the Chamber office.
By working together these stakeholders help create positive attitudes and a healthy tourism industry that is in harmony with strong community values.

To get information about Faribault Lodging, Places to Eat, Fun things to do and everything that is going on in Faribault, go to www.visitfaribault.com

Why is Tourism Important?
Tourism plays a vital role in Faribault’s economy. Because Faribault is conveniently located on Interstate 35 less than an hour away from 3 larger cities, (Twin Cities, Rochester and Mankato) Faribault naturally has the ability to attract and reach many people from nearby areas and those who are traveling through. Faribault also attracts many visitors from great distances; this includes families of students at Shattuck and the Faribault Academies to those coming for family and school reunions.
Faribault is lucky enough to have many attractions and activities that bring people into the area to stay for long periods of time and spend their money. While many cities have just a couple of things for visitors to do, Faribault has: 10 Lakes, Camping, Resorts, Many Parks, Archery, BMX, Paintball, Healthy Downtown, Outdoor Aquatic Center, State of the Art Performing Arts Center, 750 acre Nature Center,
Shattuck St. Mary’s School, Disc Golf, Three Golf Courses, Ice Arena, Skate Park, Biking/Walking Trails with Trailhead Facility, Glider Rides, Unique Restaurants, Many Historic Buildings, Four Large Festivals, Home of the Tilt-A-Whirl, Great Fishing – and much more!

What did Local Tourism do in 2012/13?

• Lodging Tax is expected to end the calendar year at the highest level ever   collected at over $90,000 – previous   high amount was $85,237 collected in   2011.
• Updated the Attractions Map with   10,000 new maps printed in 2012
• Attended two Travel Shows in 2012: KOWZ Home Show and the Adventure    Partners Field Trip Expo.
• Created a new Visitor Guide with a new design and all new content
• Produced a new official community map, presented in conjunction with         the Faribault Daily News.
• Continued to update and add new content to the Visitor website:    (www.visitfaribault.com), including photos of attractions in the map section and uploaded videos promoting Faribault.  Expanded the social media out reach to many times a week to promote upcoming events, news and happenings going on in Faribault
• Created video commercials for Heritage Celebration, Rice County Fair and State BBQ competition to promote these events in Southern MN on Charter Cable and used the videos on the Visitor website and posted on YouTube.
• Created a video with professional videographer in the summer and fall around Faribault for a promotional video that will     debut in the spring of 2013
• Faribault enjoyed its biggest year’s for group travel We worked with 24 tour bus companies along with numerous groups coming    to Faribault for events such as: weddings, sporting events, reunions etc.
•  Worked with producers and Eric Perkins of KARE-11 NBC Minneapolis for a segment that ran on the 10 pm news about Faribault.