12/5/2024
PIERRE, S.D. – Travel South Dakota is proud to recognize 35 businesses with a 2024 South Dakota Great Place designation and 81 individuals with a 2024 South Dakota Great Face designation. These tourism-focused businesses and individuals earned the designation for their outstanding hospitality and customer service.
“From the iconic Black Hills to the open plains, South Dakota is known as a land of welcoming wonders. These businesses and people are part of that and deserve to be recognized,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “I am so proud and grateful of each and every one of them.”
The South Dakota Great Place program puts a spotlight on businesses that exemplify great service by going above and beyond for guests and employees. The South Dakota Great Face program honors individuals in the tourism and hospitality industry who excel in customer service by providing top-tier service to guests. The goal of both programs is to strengthen the tourism industry in South Dakota and offer support to tourism industry members.
“Hospitality is the heartbeat of South Dakota’s tourism industry, and these programs are our way of recognizing businesses and individuals that embody this spirit,” said Hagen. “We celebrate every designee and their consistency in providing exceptional service for every visitor.”
To view the list of Great Place businesses recognized, please click here. For a list of Great Face individuals, click here.
Online application forms for 2025 South Dakota Great Place and 2025 South Dakota Great Face will open in February 2025. All are encouraged to participate. For more information about the Great Place program, click here. To learn more about the Great Face program, click here.
The department also offers an Online Hospitality Training program. The training is free, and all tourism industry businesses are encouraged to share the training with their staff. For more information about the department’s hospitality programs, please click here.
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]