We want to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (May 2-8, 2021) with you by sharing our appreciation of the support given to the tourism related businesses in Kandiyohi County over the past year!

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community. It’s a time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and personal well-being. This year NTTW recognizes the Power of Travel and the critical role our industry will play in bringing back our vibrant communities, restoring the economy, rebuilding our workforce and reconnecting America.

I think everyone would agree that this past year has been a trying time during the pandemic. We’ve all had to adapt our businesses (and personal life) as restrictions and mandates have guided us on what is and isn’t allowed. We’ve persevered through these tough times and are hopefully coming through to the other side better than we were before. As we have new ideas and new ways of doing things in a more efficient way, we hope that visitors and community members alike will continue to take part in all that we have to offer.

The Willmar Lakes Area travel industry has proven its resiliency. While we faced extraordinary challenges in the past year, our industry united like never before, lifted each other up, aided one another, and devoted ourselves fully to the task of supporting and restoring all sectors of travel. We saw many people and businesses helping to support the food & beverage sectors in our area by purchasing gift cards, catering in company meals, and ordering curbside takeout even when that wasn’t the norm. You’ve helped keep restaurants open by your willingness to eat on patios, created specially during the pandemic, as they weren’t able to offer indoor dining. You participated in 5K’s and helped raise funds to help support those tourism businesses that had to close their doors due to the restrictions. And you found more ways then ever to enjoy the outdoors in the Willmar Lakes Area and you’ve shared those wonderful experiences on social media.

As we celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week we would like to take a moment to thank you for helping to make the Willmar Lakes Area a special place to visit. Without you the travel industry in Kandiyohi County would not be what it is today!

We ask that as we move forward throughout the year, you continue to share your experiences in the Willmar Lakes Area on social media using #WillmarLakesArea so that when visitors are ready to travel again, they’ll know just what they want to do when they plan a trip to the Willmar Lakes Area.

From the Kandiyohi County Historical Society & Museum to Foxhole Brewhouse, the Willmar Lakes Area travel and tourism industry contributes so much to our local economy and our community’s unique character. From all of us at the Willmar Lakes Area CVB, we are so excited to share the full power of our industry — and the strength and spirit of Kandiyohi County — this NTTW.