Vistor Spending Reaches New High
Visitor Spending Reaches New High
Visitors to South Dakota spent $752 million in 2004 - $54 million more than the previous year. Visitor spending in 2004 is estimated to be 7.8 percent higher than recorded in 2003.
"Spending figures suggest that South Dakota's visitor industry maintained its strength in 2004," said South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds. "Visitor spending was up in each of the four regions, even though visitation was down at some attractions."
Visitor spending contributed an estimated $44.6 million in gas and sales tax to the state's coffers, and the visitor industry accounted for approximately 33,107 jobs statewide. In addition, visitor spending in South Dakota was responsible for an economic impact of $1.88 billion.
The Glacial Lakes and Prairies region, northeastern South Dakota, experienced the largest increase in visitor spending, 10.6 percent. Spending in the Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes (western South Dakota), Southeast and Great Lakes (central South Dakota) regions rose by 8.9, 4.9 and 4.1 percent respectively in 2004. Growth in expenditures in 2004 in the Great Lakes region was undoubtedly impacted by low water levels on Lake Oahe. Negative growth in many northern counties within that region was offset by more diversified counties such as Hughes, Lyman, Stanley and Gregory. (See complete list of county spending figures.)
Hotel/motel occupancy slipped 2.7 percent for 2004. Hotel/motel properties statewide maintained 62.1 percent occupancy, compared to 64.8 percent in 2003. For June through August, the campground occupancy rate was 55.7 percent, compared to 57 percent in 2003. Statewide, July and October recorded the highest campground occupancy rates in 2004. Declines in campground occupancy rates occurred in all regions except the Glacial Lakes and Prairies region, which experienced a 2.3 percent increase.
The Office of Tourism promoted the state's visitor attractions with a budget of $7 million for fiscal year 2004. These funds come primarily from the statewide tourism tax, as well as a share of the Deadwood gaming tax. Gov. Rounds committed an additional $1 million to Tourism's budget for additional marketing in fiscal year 2004 bringing the total to $8,014,860.
(Go to www.SDVisit.com for the complete 2005 Annual Report, 2004 Economic and Fiscal Impacts Study and 2004 South Dakota Motel and Campground Occupancy Report.)
http://www.state.sd.us/governor/