Fort Pierre is one of two entities that have been selected by Travel South Dakota to participate in the second year of the state Tourism Department’s Destination Development Program.
Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen said the initiative is designed to strengthen and expand tourism opportunities in rural South Dakota communities through strategic, community-driven planning. He said Fort Pierre and the Yankton/Vermillion Missouri River Water Trail stood out for their community support, collaborative approaches, and visions for sustainable tourism development that will positively impact residents and visitors alike.
Through the program, Hagen said Fort Pierre and the Yankton/Vermillion project will build on their existing assets and work alongside local and state partners to identify priorities and develop strategies that support their long-term tourism goals. The two were chosen from a group of 11 applicants.
Jasmin Fosheim with Fort Pierre Tourism said they’re incredibly honored to be a part of this visionary program. She said they know destination development is going to be valuable as we seek to continue enriching our visitors’ experiences while maintaining Fort Pierre’s authenticity and individuality as a community.
The Destination Development Program works in partnership with George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies and Crosscurrent Collective to provide communities with strategic planning assistance, access to subject-matter experts, professional development and grant opportunities. These resources help communities create welcoming environments, develop authentic visitor experiences, and pursue sustainable tourism growth that benefits residents, visitors and local economies.
“We’re honored to have Yankton selected for the Destination Development Program,” said Brittany Wagner, Tourism Director at Visit Yankton. “This program presents an exciting opportunity to collaborate with local and state partners as we continue to strengthen the regional visitor experience and build on the incredible assets that make our community a destination.”
More information about Travel South Dakota’s Destination Development Program can be found at SDVisit.com/Destination-Development.
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