Post in Fwd: Does Winona Lack Tourists?

Jun 30 21:44 UTC

To Bob,
Your "*or did you specifically want a Tractor Pull, Linda?*" nearly
qualifies as argumentum ad hominem.

I think that all the events you mention are wonderful in and of themselves.
However I wonder  - with the possible exception of Steamboat Days - if they
bring much in the way of tourist dollars into the community in general. Is
information on this issue gathered? Does anyone have verifiable numbers on
local business cash flows during these events?

I can understand Linda's point very well. As a relative newcomer to Winona
(only 12 years in the area and 5 in town) I have always wondered about the
decision back when the highway was built, to bypass the downtown district.
With the highway routed outside of the downtown area there is little
incentive for the "Sunday drivers" to stop in Winona as they wind their way
up or down the river, as opposed to towns like Lake City or Redwing which
have the highway pass through the downtown areas and seem to have fairly
vibrant downtowns.

Although with gasoline prices as high as they are now, perhaps the Sunday
drive tourists are staying closer to home.