Minnesota is one of a handful a states that has not fully bounced back revenue-wise when it comes to hotel occupancy, according to a new national report.
Hospitality Minnesota Executive Vice President Ben Wogsland says millions of dollars are at stake when you consider that sector provides one in ten jobs in the state.
He says the state is down $36 million in hospitality-related tax revenue from 2019.
"Those are dollars that go to fund schools, and roads, and bridges, and you name it," said Wogsland. "That's kind of showing the impact, I think, of how important this industry is for our economy, and why we need to get all the way back on track."
Wogsland says hotel occupancy is better in outstate Minnesota due to recreational travel.
In the Twin Cities, he says it's more challenging due to the dependence on corporate and group travel, which is still lagging.
He says they have seen growth in all areas of the state over the past few months, but the numbers aren't yet back to pre-pandemic levels.