|
Tourism Matters

We’ve got TOURISM… Right here, in River City!

Tourism in Mason City may seem like an anomaly to some and yet IT’S TRUE—Visitors from all around the globe travel to Mason City every day to visit our unique and award-winning attractions! In fact, visitor spending in Mason City during 2022 generated more than $116 million in economic impact!

Wait… WHAT?  That’s right. The most recent report from Tourism Economics for the State of Iowa shows visitor spending in the state totaled over $6.9 billion and $78.04 million of that direct spending occurred right here, in Mason City! Cerro Gordo county ranked #12 in the state for the amount of visitor spending compared to the other 98 counties in Iowa.

Sites such as the Historic Park Inn Hotel, Music Man Square, and the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum offer experiences that can only be found here in our community. What’s more, these attractions are of great interest to people from all over the world. Just last year, the Mason City Visitor Information Center welcomed more than 5,500 guests from all over the U.S. and 12 foreign countries.

The average visitor is active 14 hours a day. Visitors want to take it all in and make the most of every memorable moment. Even meeting, convention and sport event attendees who are occupied up to 8 or 9 hours a day, still have 5 to 6 hours to be active in the community they are visiting. Visit Mason City offers a variety of resources, such as the Mason City Travel Guide, that inform guests of the variety of things to do in Mason City to fill their time.

Did you know that TOURISM is the #1 industry for small businesses? When visitors come to town, they’re not only staying in hotels and visiting attractions. These guests to our community are also shopping in local stores, dining in local restaurants, and attending local events. Every dollar spent supports our local businesses and generates Local Option Sales Tax ($0.01 collected on every dollar). Boy, do those pennies sure add up fast!

Tourism promotes quality of life. In fact, for the first time in North American history, quality of life is leading economic development. Tourism is the front door to our community’s efforts to attract new business and new residents. Site selectors, real estate agents, investors, and people looking for opportunities don’t just pick a spot on a map and move there. They come first to visit. Their experience as a visitor and the quality-of-life amenities they find here will influence whether or not they choose to return, and stay.

Visit Mason City encourages you to become a tourist in your own backyard. Get out and experience the great attractions and events that attract visitors to town. Our calendar of events will help get you started.

We invite you to connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date with fun events and happenings by joining our email list. Become a social media ambassador by sharing what makes you proud of your community. Be sure to include the hashtag #MasonCityIowa!

Interested in getting involved with Visit Mason City’s leadership? Click here to learn more about joining the Visit Mason City Board of Directors.

Established in May 1985, Visit Mason City (formerly the Mason City Convention and Visitor Bureau) is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Mason City. A non-profit 501(c)6 organization, the mission of the VMC is to enhance the economy of Mason City and the North Iowa area by promoting the area as a destination for overnight visitors. The primary source of funding for VMC is provided by the dedicated portion of the hotel-motel tax, as required by Iowa law.