JANUARY 26, 2024:
Visitor spending and total visitation each set all-time records in South Dakota in 2023 and the state Tourism Department plans to build on that momentum in 2024.
Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen says the state has a lot of unique places and things to see and the department’s variety of “passports” helps guide people to them.
Hagen has some tourism and hospitality tips for businesses, employees and communities.
Hagen says the “Bison Bus” will be making the rounds in targeted markets.
During 2024, Hagen says they’ll build on some of Travel South Dakota’s past marketing successes and also try some news things, including running a commercial in targeted market areas during this year’s NFL championship game being held Feb. 11.
South Dakota Bison Bus.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
JANUARY 17, 2024:
Visitor spending and total visitation each set all-time records in South Dakota in 2023.
Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism Jim Hagen says people are seeing their message and following through by coming to the state.
During 2024, Hagen says they’ll build on some of Travel South Dakota’s past marketing successes and also try some news things.
Hagen says South Dakota offers some niche tourism options that people are looking for.
Hagen says the tourism industry supports 57,835 jobs in South Dakota, which generated $2.2 billion of income for those families. He says tourism generated $384 million in state and local tax revenue last year. Without that, he says each household would pay an additional $1,040 in taxes each year.
To view the full 2023 Tourism Economics report, visit SDVisit.com.
WRITTEN VERSION:
PIERRE, S.D. – Visitor spending and total visitation each set all-time records in South Dakota in 2023.
Tourism officials had their eyes on success while anxiously awaiting final numbers coming off recent record-setting years. According to the annual study conducted by Tourism Economics, visitors to South Dakota spent 4.96 billion dollars, an increase of 4.9% over 2022. This surpasses all previous records, which continues to prove the South Dakota tourism industry’s tenacity and resiliency.
South Dakota welcomed 14.7 million visitors, reporting an increase of 2.3% over 2022, also an all-time record.
“Visitors are discovering South Dakota’s great assets: our people, our places, and our Freedom. The word is out, and that is why we continue to see record increases in our tourism industry,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Year after year, this industry supports South Dakota’s economy and essential services in our communities. Together, South Dakota citizens are building the strongest economy in America.”
The tourism industry remains essential to South Dakota’s economy, providing an indispensable source of job creation and household income to thousands. 57,835 jobs in South Dakota were supported by the tourism industry, which generated 2.2 billion dollars of income for those families.
“Tourism in South Dakota is a job-creating, revenue-generating machine that plays a vital role in supporting the state’s economy year after year,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “To see this industry continue to grow and set records shows the dedication to service, state, and community. I couldn’t be prouder of every individual in this industry.”
In 2023, tourism generated $384 million in state & local tax revenue. Without tourism in South Dakota, each household would pay an additional $1,040 in taxes each year.
“What we are doing is working,” continued Hagen. “Conservatively, research tells us that for every $1 we put into tourism marketing, we see $61 in visitor spending and $5 in tax revenue. South Dakotans feel the impact daily with job creation, reduced tax burden, and increased state and local tax revenue.”
South Dakota Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen with an image of the South Dakota Bison Bus in the background.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
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