Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Breaking Tourism Records 

@SoDakCampaigns

Breaking Tourism Records
By: Governor Kristi Noem
October 7, 2022

The record-breaking pace continues for South Dakota’s tourism industry – even with high inflation raising gas prices for visitors to our state. We recently rounded up Custer State Park’s famous buffalo herd (although I didn’t get to ride in the Buffalo Roundup this year like I normally do). The event drew another 20,000 attendees from across the country and around the globe. It was a perfect capstone to another record-breaking tourism season.

So far in 2022, South Dakota is on track to break records for visitor spending. Total spending this year-to-date is above last year’s record-breaking pace – and by more than inflation. Given that last year’s visitor spending was $4.4 billion, that is an incredible accomplishment.

But the records don’t stop there. We’ve had more night stays in South Dakota hotels and short-term rentals than ever before. And visitation to Mount Rushmore is up another 4% over last year’s record. The Sioux Falls Regional Airport reported all-time passenger traffic records in both July and August.

Despite the Biden Administration’s crushing inflation, visitors are still finding a way to make the trip to South Dakota. Tourism numbers are largely down across the country this year, which makes South Dakota’s record-breaking pace all the more impressive!

We must remember that tourism is our state’s 2nd largest industry. When tourism thrives, our state does well. And tourism has been thriving for years now because of South Dakota’s respect for Freedom, our unique approach to the COVID pandemic, and our emphasis on telling our story to the rest of the country.

So, what can we expect in the final months of 2022?  As I traveled throughout the Black Hills this past week in preparation for the Buffalo Roundup, I had the opportunity to stop at many tourism-related shops and businesses. They all were reporting strong visitation and spending through the Fall.

Moreover, pheasant hunting season is literally just days away, and our pheasant numbers are looking like some of our best in recent years. This certainly bodes well for ending our tourism year on a very positive note.

South Dakotans can take pride in the fact that our state offers an endless variety of things to see and do. We have beautiful landscapes, pristine state & national parks, and the nation’s Shrine to Democracy. Visitors can experience our pioneer, Native American, and Old West cultures. These are just a few of the reasons South Dakota is still the perfect place to experience a world-class vacation.

But above all else, visitors are coming to South Dakota because we cherish our freedoms – and we love to share that with our visitors! Our friendly people are still our best ambassadors, and they make a visitor’s time in our state extra special.

Join me in continuing to support our robust tourism industry. Let’s welcome and encourage every visitor to experience the Great Faces and Great Places of South Dakota.

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28 thoughts on “Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Breaking Tourism Records ”

  1. OK. Is she blaming Joe Biden for our good tourism numbers? Or is it that she can’t complete a whole sentence without attacking someone? Like Joe Biden, her shtick is getting… old.

    1. You are so right. She needs to find an ounce of pure positivity that does not come at the expense of others. One would think that tourism could easily be the bridge that brings people together…unfortunately, that is not the case…

    2. I notice she didn’t mention the fireworks. Just the inflation..
      High gas prices can kill tourism, you know

  2. ” Or is it that she can’t complete a whole sentence without attacking someone?”

    Mr. Pot, I’d like you to meet Mr. Kettle.

      1. Ya well, it’s pretty disingenuous for the “Highway Patrol” to drive 70 in a 35 and then attempt to lecture the “speeder.”

    1. Yep. And was her absence at the CSP bison round-up because of her appearance at events for Herschel Walker in Georgia, the T-endorsed candidate for gov in Arizona, or her own $5K-a-plate fundraiser?

      1. Maybe her absence at the buffalo round-up was because she is not healed sufficiently from the last time she was on a horse?

    2. ~ Is this woman honest-to-God this stupid to not understand inflation? ~

      I was wondering the same thing about you.

  4. I see all 8 of 9 remaining Democrats in SD are on here today talking about items not even in Kristi’s post. As long as they don’t stay on topic, I am obligated to do the same. Of course, I’m sure they all support J. Smith marching with the BLM when they got violent. I’m sure they all love Smith’s “F” rating from the NRA. I’m sure they love his approval of open borders, sex trafficking, fentanyl and other drugs killing our kids. I’m sure these haters love Smiths’s approval of gays showering with your daughters, his support of trans competing with girls in sports. I’m sure you love Smith’s approval of mask MANDATES and forced vaccine shots. No wonder they attack Kristi, they have nothing to brag about in their own “candidate”.

    1. Uheep writes: “…haters love Smiths’s approval of gays showering with your daughters”

      I did not know this. Was that a he or a she gay that showered with my daughter?

  5. I am so tired of all the negative Kristi posts here. Would they be happier living in Michigan or California or Minnesota? I for one prefer South Dakota and our governor and our freedoms. Just wondering….are these democrat posters being paid per post?

    1. I turned to my google translate to understand. I asked for translation from Springer to English and your comment reads… “I am so tired of hearing the truth. Will you people start regurgitating our approved talking points – or move.”

    2. Why do you Republikans and Trumpies whine so much about negativity toward this governor? UHeep is dishing a bunch of negative crud, and have you seen the stupid, negative ads this governor runs (and which the owner of this blog loves to give free air time)?

      1. Pat has an impossible job trying to be fair to everyone. I know I don’t have his patience.

      2. Ann Onymous, the people supporting Smith entertain me because if he actually manages to be elected he will spend his time on the 3rd floor doing absolutely nothing, while Lee Schoenbeck runs the state. That’s what an overwhelming Republican majority in the legislature and senate will accomplish.

        1. So noem without the corruption, without the needless waste of money traveling, without the wasting of taxpayer dollars to overturn the will of the voters, and with less family members getting favors and big salaries on the taxpayers dime. Sounds good to me.

          1. And with less money wasted on frivolous lawsuits because she wants to burn down the black hills with Chinese fireworks.

  6. Springer, the only other blog you see more Governor Noem bashing is by the dwarf king at dakota fake press.

    2. I know. I just read comments on an internet article about Noem where the posts were more in line with reality…mostly positive and glad to have her as our governor.

      How many negative posters are on here vs number of posts, and are they being paid per post?

  7. The polls have her concerned about winning but scared t death if winning by three points. A three point win in a deep red state is so weak that big Republican donors will abandon her, ending her efforts to be Sarah Palin II.

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