Tourism spending in state not as bad as expected

It has been a down year for tourism in South Dakota, but that’s the case in every state because of COVID-19.

South Dakota Tourism Department Secretary Jim Hagen says spending and visitor numbers have been down, but the silver lining is that as summer has progressed, things have gotten better.

Hagen says that travel spending isn’t as bad as what it could be.  

Hagen says the message from South Dakota tourism has been one of, “safety first”.  

Hagen says inquiries are strong, and not just from people looking to vacation here.

He says the pandemic has created a “pent up demand” for travel, some of which will carry into next summer.

(Thanks, KWAT)