1/17/2024
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.”
To view the full 2023 Tourism Economics report, visit SDVisit.com.
The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Travel South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.
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MEDIA NOTES:
- Key stats:
- Visitor spending reached 4.96 billion dollars, an increase of 4.9% over 2022, and a new record
- 14.7 million – number of visitors that came to South Dakota, an increase of 2.3% from 2022
- 5.1 million – the number of hotel room nights booked in 2023
- 8.9 million visitors to South Dakota’s state parks and 2.1 million visitors to Custer State Park in 2023, both numbers represent a decrease.
- All data reflects calendar year (January – November) 2023 numbers over 2022 unless otherwise noted.
- Source: Tourism Economics, Longwoods International, STR, GF&P
- Photos for the tourism conference going on this week in Pierre found here. Credit: Travel South Dakota
CONTACT
Katlyn Svendsen, Global Public Relations & Content Services Senior Director
Travel South Dakota
Email: [email protected]