Mall of America Hits Record Tourism Surge in Bloomington, MN

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- The Mall of America tallied a 15% surge in out-of-state and foreign tourists this year, injecting millions into the Bloomington economy and reinforcing its role as Minnesota's premier landmark. Operators at the Triple Five-owned destination, which draws 40 million annual visitors -- 40% from beyond 150 miles -- highlighted the boost initially reported by FOX 9. Tourists average $162 per visit inside the mall, with every dollar spent there generating $1.25 more elsewhere; international guests outspend locals by 2.5 times daily.[1][2][5] Black Friday 2025 marked a historic high, with 235,000 visitors -- an 8.5% increase over 2024 and 2% above the prior 2019 record -- as more than 500,000 guests flooded the site from Nov. 26-30. The mall, Minnesota's third-largest 'city' by daily population, hosts 12,000 tour groups yearly and generates $3 billion in statewide economic impact annually from 32 million global visitors.[1][2][4][5] Beyond retail, attractions like Nickelodeon Universe draw families, with 42% of tourists arriving via recommendations and 28% as repeats.[2] This tourism wave extends Bloomington's reach, where out-of-state families spend an extra $539 on local goods and services per trip, amplifying the mall's $437 million in annual visitor spending. Since 1992, over 1 billion people have passed through its doors, employing 11,000 year-round and 13,000 at peak. Officials credit the mix of 520+ stores, dining and events -- over 300 yearly -- for sustaining momentum amid Midwest competition.[2][3][4][5]