South Dakota’s tourism industry saw another record breaking year in 2024. South Dakota Department of Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen says their annual study– conducted by Tourism Economics– showed the state increasing in visitor numbers and visitor spending when compared to 2023. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2025/01/012325-hagen1.mp3 Hagen says tourism supports almost 59,000 jobs (58,824), generating $2.24 billion in income for those workers and nearly $400 million ($398.7 million) in state and local tax revenue. He says that breaks down to saving South Dakota households $1,105 per year in tax payments. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2025/01/012325-hagen2.mp3 Hagen says Travel South Dakota’s target markets have remained fairly consistent the past few years. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2025/01/012325-hagen3.mp3 Hagen says 8.7 million visitors went to South Dakota’s state parks; 3.8 million visitors explored national parks; and visitors booked 5.2 million hotel room nights in 2024. To view the full 2024 Tourism Economics report, visit SDVisit.com.