PIERRE, S.D. – The total economic impact of South Dakota’s visitor industry increased in 2014 by 2.64 percent* over 2013, translating to an overall economic impact of nearly $2 billion. The 2014 figures are from a new report by econometrics firm IHS.

“In 2014, South Dakota faced chilly spring weather, the earliest snowfall since 1888 in September, and increasing marketing competition from neighboring state tourism departments,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said. “Despite these challenges, the South Dakota visitor industry continues to shine.”

2014 Economic Impact Statistics:

• 2.64 percent – The increase in the economic impact of tourism on South Dakota’s economy last year.
• $1.99 billion – Tourism’s direct impact on South Dakota’s economy in 2014.
• 18.41 percent – The amount of state and local tax revenue generated by tourism-related activity in 2014. This totaled $300 million.
• 27,477 – The number of jobs directly generated by the tourism industry in 2014. That’s 1-out-of-11 South Dakota jobs that depend on travel and tourism.
• $880 – The amount of additional taxes each household in the state would pay if South Dakota’s tourism industry did not exist.
• 9 percent - Percentage of visitor spending that came from international visitors.
• 1:5 – The ratio between dollars spent on tourism marketing and tax revenue received. For every dollar Tourism spends marketing the state as a vacation destination, South Dakota receives $5 in tax revenue.

2014 Year-Over-Year Comparisons:

• Taxable sales were up 5.2 percent
• Inquiries to the SD Dept. of Tourism were down 13.1 percent
• Unique visitors to www.TravelSouthDakota.com, were down 2 percent
• Visitation was up .98 percent
• Hotel occupancy was up 1.1 percent
• Information Center stats
• • Total cars were down .7 percent
  • Total tour buses were down 5.9 percent
  • Tour buses carrying foreign visitors were up 14.6 percent

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council and the South Dakota State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary Jim Hagen.

-30- 

*This includes actual numbers from January-October 2014 and forecasted numbers for November and December 2014.

MEDIA NOTES:

• Tourism’s impact, as defined by IHS, includes only those dollars that are retained in South Dakota. It includes core tourism (visitor spending), non-core tourism (spending by tourism industry suppliers), government spending (Tourism’s marketing dollars), private investment in infrastructure and resident outbound expenditures.
• To view the IHS report, as well as the 2014 Department of Tourism Annual Report, visit www.SDVisit.com.