May 1, 2012 – May is National Tourism Month and the Top of Iowa Tourism committee is celebrating and recognizing why tourism matters in North Iowa. The Top of Iowa Tourism group consists of representatives from an eleven county area in Northern Iowa including Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Wright, Franklin, Butler, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Hamilton and Hancock counties.
Travel and tourism in North Iowa generates tremendous economic, social, and cultural impact. According to a report supported by the Iowa Tourism Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Department Authority, tourism’s economic impact in 2010 generated $276.32 million and supported over 2,230 tourism related jobs in the eleven counties represented by the Top of Iowa Tourism group. The report also noted tourism contributed $6.6 billion in visitor spending to the state and employed more than 62,000 people statewide.
The Top of Iowa Tourism committee invites residents to observe this important month by becoming a tourist in the North Iowa area and taking part in a “near-cation” this summer season! To help, the group is giving away several North Iowa vacation get-away packages, with a combined valued over $1,300. To be eligible for the vacation package prize drawing, just become a fan of the Visit Top of Iowa Facebook page and comment or like a question posted.
Visit the site daily as different questions are posted sporadically throughout the month of May. The more questions you “like” or post a comment on, the more times you are entered to win. Prize packages include:
Getaway Package Description
Relax, Revive & Ride the Rapids in Charles City, Iowa!
Relax in the Whirlpool Suite at Sleep Inn & Suites; Revive yourself with a meal at The Pub on the Cedar and Charles City Chamber Cash to spend as you choose; Ride the Rapids of Charles City Whitewater with (2) inner tubes and life vests provided by Davico.
$235.00
Clear Lake Iowa Events Package
Go shopping on us during Thursdays on Main June-August with $50 in Clear Lake Chamber Bucks, experience the thrill of our July 4th Celebration with 12 free carnival ride tickets, and sample wine & beer at our award winning fall event, Clear Lake Harvest Festival with 2 free event passes!
$156.00
Tuesday on the Town in Franklin County Iowa
$50 of Greater Franklin County Chamber Bucks for Tuesday on the Town in June. Special shopping opportunities at Northern Iowa’s premier Specialty Shops, http://hamptonspecialtyshops.com.
$50.00
Experience Osage Iowa
Experience the City of Osage. Shop and dine at our eclectic blend of shops with $100 in Chamber Dollars, enjoy a night of entertainment with 20 ($20 value) tokens for Friday Night Out in City Park (5 nights to choose from), plus a night stay in a deluxe suite at our NEW AmericInn opening in June, 2 day passes to the Cedar River Complex Wellness Center and a picnic basket for two to enjoy nature in beautiful Spring Park along the Cedar River.
$325.00
Mason City Iowa Memorable Moments Getaway Package
Relax, refresh, rejuvenate and reconnect with the Mason City Iowa “Memorable Moments” Getaway Package” featuring gift certificates for an overnight stay at the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel, the Historic Park Inn, a scrumptious meal at the Northwestern Steakhouse, shop till you drop at Southbridge Mall, tour of The Music Man Square and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, tour of the Historic Park Inn and tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House and Architectural Interpretive Center.
$360.00
Webster City Iowa Vacation Package
Go shopping on us with $50 in Webster City Bucks that can be used at any of our businesses, experience the outdoors at Briggs Woods Park with a one-night stay in one of our fabulous cabins, enjoy the thrill of one of Iowa’s most challenging Golf Courses at Briggs Woods Golf Course with 2-18 hole passes and a golf cart included.
$167.00
To learn more about vacation ideas in the area including shopping, dining, lodging, attractions, events, recreation, golf, parks, camping and more, visit the Top of Iowa Tourism’s website located at www.VisitTopOfIowa.com or follow Visit Top of Iowa on Facebook.
