8/19/2026
PIERRE, S.D. – Travel South Dakota is proud to announce that Fort Pierre and the Yankton/Vermillion Missouri River Water Trail have been selected to participate in the second year of the Destination Development Program.
The initiative is designed to strengthen and expand tourism opportunities in rural South Dakota communities through strategic, community-driven planning.
“Developing and supporting tourism opportunities, especially in rural areas, remains an important part of our strategic plan, so we are very excited to begin working with Fort Pierre and the Yankton/Vermillion Missouri River Water Trail,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “Both projects impressed us with their strong community integrations, thoughtful visions, and commitment to creating high-quality visitor experiences.”
The 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.”
Through the program, Fort Pierre and the Yankton/Vermillion Missouri River Water Trail 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.
“Fort Pierre Tourism is incredibly honored to be a part of this visionary program,” said Jasmin Fosheim, Fort Pierre Tourism. “We know destination development is going to be invaluable as we seek to continue enriching our visitors’ experiences while maintaining our authenticity and individuality as a community.”
Travel South Dakota received 11 applications for the program’s second year. 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.
More information about Travel South Dakota’s Destination Development Program can be found at SDVisit.com/Destination-Development.
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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CONTACT
Katlyn Svendsen, Global Public Relations & Content Services Senior Director
Travel South Dakota
Email: [email protected]