What impact will COVID-19 have on tourism in Winneshiek County this year?

Memorial Day is traditionally thought of as the beginning of the tourism season in Northeast Iowa.

Decorah has become more and more of a destination for tourists and that was the case over the weekend, with the Pulpit Rock Campground busy with campers and the Trout Run Trail busy with bike riders.

This year's worry for the owners of tourist-related businesses is the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the number of tourists.  The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce has published some statistics which might predict Winneshiek County won't be as hard hit by a loss of tourists as other locations in Iowa.

A business called "Destination Analysts" has been surveying 1200 potential tourists every week since mid-February--the first research company to begin such surveying.  Its report issued Monday (https://www.destinationanalysts.com/insights-updates/) suggests Winneshiek County's small town atmosphere and outdoor attractions might be attractive to tourists this year.

55.7 percent of those surveyed by Destination Analysts say they will avoid crowded places this year when traveling.  Small towns and rural areas would be the preferred destination of 30 percent of those surveyed--second only to those who want to head to a beach or resort.

The survey also found "nature-based" destinations were seen as an attractive option this summer and fall.  It additionally found that younger people are more willing to head out on a trip now than older people are.

While Decorah and Winneshiek County might do better than more urban destinations, the entire travel industry is still struggling.  The proportion of those surveyed who said they are going to avoid all travel until the coronavirus situation is over is 61.1 percent.