2022 Visitor Spending in South Dakota Yet Again Sets All-Time Record


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wed., Jan. 18, 2023

CONTACT: Katlyn Svendsen, Global Media & Public Relations Director, South Dakota Department of Tourism

 

2022 Visitor Spending in South Dakota Yet Again Sets All-Time Record

 

PIERRE, S.D. – Visitor spending in South Dakota set an all-time record in 2022.

 

Tourism officials were closely monitoring the 2022 numbers following the extreme record-setting year of 2021. According to the annual study conducted by Tourism Economics, visitors to South Dakota spent 4.7 billion dollars, an increase of 8% over 2021. This surpasses all previous records, even exceeding 2021’s surge of travel spending that was up 30% over 2020.

 

South Dakota welcomed 14.4 million visitors, an increase of 0.6% over 2021.

 

“South Dakota values freedom and offers something for everyone. That – combined with the tireless work of our citizens – is why we continue to break tourism records,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “This industry provides a strong and stable flow of dollars contributing to South Dakota’s record revenues, helping to build 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. 56,826 jobs in South Dakota were supported by the tourism industry, which generated 2.1 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 Jim Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “The revenue from South Dakota's tourism industry helps support critical infrastructure and emergency services that South Dakotans depend on.”

 

In 2022, tourism generated $361 million in state & local tax revenue, an increase of $16 million over 2021. Without tourism in South Dakota, each household would pay an additional $1,011 in taxes each year.

 

To view the full 2022 Tourism Economics report, visit SDVisit.com.

 

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The department is led by Secretary James Hagen.

 

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MEDIA NOTES:

 

  • Key stats:
    • Visitor spending reached 4.7 billion dollars, an increase of 8% over 2021, and a new record
    • 14.4 million – number of visitors that came to South Dakota, an increase of .6% from 2021
    • 5.2 million – the number of hotel room nights booked in 2022
    • 9.5 million visitors to South Dakota’s state parks and 2.1 million visitors to Custer State Park in 2022, both numbers represent a decrease.  
  • Please see attached for complete 2022 economic impact figures and travel indicators.
  • All data reflects calendar year (January – November) 2022 numbers over 2021 unless otherwise noted.
  • Source: Tourism Economics, STR, GF&P

Photos for the tourism conference going on this week in Pierre found here.