Research shows that shopping is the number one reason people travel for leisure worldwide. Why would anyone come to Mall of America®, located in an unassuming Minnesota suburb, instead of high-profile U.S. destinations like New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas? Or even simply shopping online from home?

We hear this question almost daily here at MOA™. For the moment, let's set aside the Mall's 520 stores as well as the novel, unique array of family-friendly attractions, events and dining at MOA which attract 40 million visitors each year, making it the number one tourist destination in the country. Instead, let's focus on the extraordinary potential savings of a visit to MOA with the absence of sales tax on clothing and shoes in Minnesota, compounded by lower prices on goods in general. To make this concept demonstrably tangible, we'll employ the writing method of “Show, don't tell.”

Imagine a figurative bag containing the following fashionable brand items:

• Swagger Handbag from Coach
• Nudist pumps from Stuart Weitzman
• Jets/Lenon suit from Hugo Boss
• Classic cashmere scarf from Burberry
• 1212 polo shirt from Lacoste
• “The Bound” rose gold and crystal necklace (small) from Swarovski
• International, expandable, 4-wheel carry-on bag from Tumi

The grand total for all of these items when purchased at Mall of America is $3,137. Now, how much would this same bag of items cost if they were purchased elsewhere in the U.S. or online? Let's look*:

• Las Vegas: $3,353 (difference of $216)
• Online: $3,363** (difference of $226)
• New York: $3,421 (difference of $284)
• Los Angeles: $3,454 (difference of $317)

Those savings are already enough to buy an additional Swarovski necklace and, in most cases, copious wine with dinner that evening. But after saving 20-50 percent on a hotel room with Minnesota's moderate accommodations*** prices compared to the cities above, you'll have likely erased the cost of your airfare as well as several meals in the Mall's wide range of restaurants.

Story idea: How much would this bag of items cost in Montreal, London, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing or your city? Is Mall of America the most budget-friendly shopping and entertainment destination in the world?

*Prices include local sales tax and were sourced from brand stores located in each corresponding city and, in the case of online, from their websites.

**Prices include a sample 7.5% sales tax rate. Taxes will vary depending on the state where the purchase originates.

*** More than 50 hotels within 10 minutes of MOA offer free shuttle service to/from the Mall and MSP International Airport, eliminating transport headaches and costs, many of whom also offer complimentary MOA coupon books with over $2,000 in combined savings.