Layover passengers will see the Twin Cities in a whole new way

MSP Tours and a unique public-transit system let layover passengers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport explore the best of the Twin Cities!

September 22, 2011 (Minneapolis)—A new project promises to showcase the Twin Cities to world travelers and help increase visibility, tourism, and business. MSP Tours, located at the Minneapolis St. Paul airport, is now offering self-directed audio-guided tours of the Twin Cities to travelers with layovers at the airport.

In 2010, MSP served 32 million passengers, making it the 15th busiest airport in the United States. According to the Metropolitan Airport Commission, 14.7 million of those passengers were layover travelers.

MSP Tours will target those travelers, offering them exclusive, customized tours that take off every 10 minutes and utilize the Hiawatha Light Rail Line. Each tour brings them to the light rail’s 19 destination stops, among others, and back to the airport on time for their departure flight.

Every tour offers unique audio tips and testimonials, all provided by the Twin Cities’ biggest experts, artists, and aficionados.

MSP aircraft operations are increasing every day, with traffic expected to grow by 40 percent by 2030. MSP Tours is working with the Airport Foundation MSP to enhance the airport experience and provide tourism opportunities for its passengers.

MPS Tours is the first touring operation of its kind to offer both customer-service alternatives for an increasing number of layover passengers and a unique opportunity to showcase the Twin Cities to world travelers who are likely to return for business opportunities and repeat visits.

“I want to offer customized tours of Minneapolis because I love this city,” says MSP Tours owner Chieko Karlsen, a lifelong resident of the Twin Cities who has worked as a personal tour guide for more than 10 years. “It’s an opportunity to really reach people who otherwise wouldn’t see our cities, and showcase our world-renowned arts, culture, architecture, and more.”

With a layover of three hours or more, travelers can explore the Mall of America; Target Field; the downtown dining and shopping district; Nicollet Mall; Minnehaha Falls; the Mill City Museum; the Guthrie Theater; and more.

Audio guides written in collaboration with Twin Cities experts and Shutterbird Media make every tour as equally educational as it is entertaining.

Local musician Jeremy Messersmith even provides some tips, and travelers get to listen to his critically acclaimed tune “Light Rail” as the Hiawatha line takes them to their next destination.

“It’s really about showcasing the cities,” says Karlsen. “And we have the brightest minds and experts doing it.”

Mayor R.T. Rybak provides the intro, ensuring every traveler gets to explore the city like a local.

Each tour costs $27.50 and includes: cost of Metro Transit Light Rail tickets; MOA tickets to attractions like Nickelodeon Universe and Sea Life; Nice Ride 24-hour subscriptions; Cardinal Bar promos; and a Macy’s Visitor Savings Pass.

The first tour takes off on October 1st!

Want to tour the Twin Cities in a whole new way? You’re invited! Check out one of the complimentary tours reserved just for press.

Friday, September 30^th: 10am and 2pm

Saturday, October 1^st: 10am and 2pm

Contact: Chieko Karlsen at 612.232.7814 or chieko@msptours.com to reserve your customized audio guide!

Meet at information booth on the lower level (tram level) by short-term parking. Park in short-term parking and enter lower level. The information booth will be immediately visible. Parking will be validated courtesy of Airport Foundation MSP, so take a ticket and bring it with you.

Plan for three hours, but you can do it in less if you’re in a hurry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the Twin Cities in a whole new way!

Check out the web site: www.msptours.com.