eFYI for November 2008 South Dakota Office of Tourism

eFYI - Featuring Your Industry - November 2008

New publications available!
South Dakota: Our Culture and Heritage will be available the week of Nov. 10. It is a new cooperative niche publication developed by the Office of Tourism, Arts Council and the State Historical Society.

The new 2008-09 South Dakota Snowmobile Map is now available through the Office of Tourism and the Department of Game, Fish & Parks. Please recycle any old maps and replace with the updated trails featured in the new map.

Creative Strategies
For more information, contact
Thad Friedeman
at
Thad.Friedeman@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

2009 Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Tourism Conference registration mailers were sent the week of November 10, and registration is now available online. Follow this link to register and find out more information. www.SDVisit.com. Contact Nicole Gall for more information at Nicole.Gall@state.sd.us or (605) 773-3301.

International trade shows
Maureen Droz, along with representatives from Montana, Wyoming and Idaho will attend the World Travel Market tradeshow in the United Kingdom, the Visit USA Showcase in Italy and will conduct training seminars for tour operators in The Netherlands and Belgium Nov. 5-20, 2008.

Trade Sales and Marketing
For more information, contact
Maureen Droz
at
Maureen.Droz@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

RMI Roundup
RMI Roundup is your opportunity to meet with up to 40 international tour operators in an appointment setting to get their business. We are bringing them to the region from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. This year's Roundup will take place in Boise, ID, April 1-3, 2009. I hope to see you there. Click on this website for more information http://www.rockymtnintl.com/roundup.htm.

Trade Sales and Marketing
For more information, contact
Maureen Droz
at
Maureen.Droz@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

NTA Annual Convention
Vicky Engelhaupt, South Dakota Tourism Representative, plus 20 South Dakota suppliers will attend the National Tour Association (NTA) Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Penn., November 15-19, 2008. The delegation will meet with tour operators from across the nation as well as international countries to assist them in planning their South Dakota tours.

Trade Sales and Marketing
For more information, contact
Vicky Engelhaupt
at
Vicky.Engelhaupt@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

Own a campground/RV Park?
Any South Dakota campground/RV park may be listed in the Camping, Travel Directory and Interactive Trip Planner sections of www.TravelSD.com. Since many vacationers are planning their summer trips in early January, now is the time to submit your property information at www.SDVisit.com.

Visitor and Industry Relations
For more information, contact
Nicole Gall or Joey Hockett
at
Nicole.Gall@state.sd.us
or
Joey.Hockett@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

Important Reminders
Million Dollar Challenge
Funds are still available for the Million Dollar Challenge. If you’re interested in applying, the next deadline is Jan. 6. Applications are available at www.SDVisit.com Contact Nicole Gall for more information.

Vacation Packages
The Office of Tourism is looking for more winter vacation packages to be posted on www.TravelSD.com. To partner with the office in this effort, go to www.SDVisit.com. For more information, contact Joey Hockett.

Visitor and Industry Relations
For more information, contact
Nicole Gall or Joey Hockett
at
Nicole.Gall@state.sd.us
or
Joey.Hockett@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

At a Glance...

The South Dakota Travel Monitoring System indicates a strong month for attraction attendance with an increase of 14.2%. However, based on information collected by TNS through a Consumer Confidence Survey (sample of 5,000 U.S. households), the "Vacations Intended Within Six Months Index" has decreased by -13.1% comparing the same time last year.

View definitions of these travel indicators at www.SDVisit.com.

For more information, contact Kirk Hulstein at Kirk.Hulstein@state.sd.us or (605) 773-3301.

South Dakota Office of Tourism

Monthly Progress Report

www.TravelSD.com	Consumer Site
www.SDVisit.com	Travel and Tourism Industry Site
www.MediaSD.com	Press and Media Site
www.FilmSD.com	South Dakota Film Office Site
www.TourSDakota.com	Travel Professionals Site