![Tourism Business Picking Up In Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/05/lake_kabetogama_flickr_user_BierDoctor-300x198.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tourism Business Picking Up In Minnesota
ST. CLOUD (AP) - Experts say Minnesota's $11 billion travel and leisure industry continues to creep out of the recession, but there could be obstacles ahead, including a government shutdown.
The president of Hospitality Minnesota, Dan McElroy, says a strong Memorial Day opened the state's businesses travel season.
The state's tourism office is forecasting growth this summer, but there are concerns on the horizon, including shaky hiring numbers, unstable gas prices and unpredictable weather.
There's also a possible state government shutdown if the governor and Legislature can't agree on a budget.
McElroy says it could close some of the state's premier parks along the North Shore of Lake Superior and the businesses in the area would suffer. He says it would also discourage state employees from traveling.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Sartell Officials Expecting Strong Summer Tourism Season](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/06/attachment-Pinecone-Central-Park.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![There is a New Lake in Minnesota, Visit Scenic Lake Chipotle](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/04/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-04-15T055723.779.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![State and Local Tourism Beginning to Bounce Back From Pandemic](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/04/Server.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New CVB Director Excited To Lead, Grow St. Cloud Tourism](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/08/attachment-Rachel-Thompson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tourists Returning to Minnesota Resorts But Workers Are Not](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/GettyImages-1229943566.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Find Your True North’ is New Minnesota Tourism Campaign](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/01/Minnesota1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Bridge May Spark Tourism in Northeast Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/09/Highway-53-Bridge-Virginia-MN.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Clouds Digital Tours Connects The Past With The Present [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/05/hqdefault3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Agritourism Highlights The Upper Midwest Regional Fruit and Vegetables Growers Conference](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/01/HSU.jpg?w=980&q=75)