April 26, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Experience Sioux Falls.

People are showing they’re ready to travel again, making the annual National Travel and Tourism Week more timely than ever.

The annual tradition occurs the first full week in May as the U.S. travel community celebrates the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and personal well-being.

“This year, it feels especially significant to celebrate our industry,” said Teri Schmidt, executive director of Experience Sioux Falls.

“We’re definitely seeing signs people are ready to get back to traveling, whether it’s returning to their favorite vacation destination or rescheduling a trip they had to cancel during the last year.”

Despite the pandemic, the travel and tourism industry continued to be a significant contributor to the U.S. economy and exports, supporting 11 million jobs in 2020. According to the South Dakota Department of Tourism, there were 12.6 million visitors who came to South Dakota in 2020, generating $3.4 billion in direct and indirect spending and $276 million in state and local taxes while supporting 49,500 tourism jobs.

Locally, Sioux Falls welcomed visitors from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, generating $283 million in estimated economic impact in 2020.

“We have several activities planned in conjunction with the South Dakota Department of Tourism as communities across the country are encouraged to celebrate the U.S. Travel Association-led Travel & Tourism Week,” Schmidt said.

“We invite the business community and the public to participate, including wearing red, the official color of the week.”

Here’s your complete guide to the week:

Media Day
Monday, May 3, at 3 p.m., Falls Park Visitor Information Center.

Hear from Gov. Kristi Noem, Mayor Paul TenHaken, Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen and Experience Sioux Falls executive director Teri Schmidt as they discuss the significance the travel industry plays in our economy.

Spring Hospitality Training
Thursday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to noon at Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism will host a free hospitality training seminar featuring customer service expert Larry Stuart as he shares his message of front-line hospitality. This program is designed to provide tools, encouragement and guest-service deliverables for anyone involved in the tourism industry. Register for the Spring Hospitality Training. Deadline is April 30.

Eastern South Dakota Literature Swap
Thursday, May 6, noon to 2:30 p.m., Ramkota Hotel Exhibit Hall.

If you have a business with printed brochures that you would like displayed at South Dakota Welcome Centers, then this is your event. The event will coordinate how many brochures will go to each site for visitors to take and read.

This a great way to market your business to the thousands of travelers who stop at the Welcome Centers every summer. The cost to attend this event is $20, which includes lunch. Please RSVP to [email protected] or 275-6060. Deadline is April 30.

“Despite the ongoing COVID issues, travel leaders nationwide are expecting to see a good summer travel season due to a lot of pent-up demand from last year,” Schmidt said. “However, there are still many people who may not be quite ready to travel yet, and that is OK. When the time is right, their favorite travel destinations will be ready for them.”

Businesses, to get connected or if you have questions, reach out to Matt Barthel at [email protected].