Story last updated at 1/13/2010 - 12:14 pm
Anyone who has worked in the tourism industry in Alaska has probably stored up a list of wacky questions from visitors. But our fine state is apparently not alone in this practice. According to a recent Associated Press story, Chuck Lenoon, who handles media relations for Explore Minnesota Tourism, has compiled a "Quirkiest Queries" list for the state to spice up his year-in-review report at the office.
He asked counselors from the state's call-in lines and 11 travel information centers to send him details about the "corniest calls" they received in the past year. Here are a few that Alaskans might relate to:
"I'm coming in July and I want snowmobile rental information." Another state where it's always winter.
"Where do we go to do the whale-watching?" I think we know the answer to this one. I hope these folks were directed our way.
"Does one need a travel permit or visa to visit Minnesota?" Think of this next time someone asks whether we accept U.S. dollars here.
"Is it always foggy in Duluth? What time will the fog lift?" (The AP article notes: "It is often foggy in Duluth but the fog does not lift on a prearranged schedule.") Has anyone in Southeast heard a variation of this?
Lennon offered some advice to dealing with these questions that he and his coworkers are given in training: "Don't laugh in their faces. Calm yourself and just deal with it." This is a skill Alaskan tourism workers are also probably well versed in.
