Visit Rapid City Releases Economic Impact Numbers During National Travel and Tourism Week
Visit Rapid City is joining tourism industry colleagues from around the world to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) May 19-25, 2024, and is sharing that 3.8 million visitors came to Rapid in 2023.
“The travel and tourism industry is a key player in Rapid City’s economy,” said Brook Kaufman, CEO of Visit Rapid City. “It sustains and supports local businesses and brings new money into our city, propelling the vitality of Rapid forward.”
Travel plays an important role in the U.S., South Dakota and Rapid City, with major contributions to the economy.
Key statistics for Rapid City from 2023 include:
- Rapid City welcomed 3.8 million visitors in 2023 (increase of .5%; an additional 20,0000 visitors)
- In Rapid City, visitors spent $479 million (up $16.7 million from 2022) and enjoyed a total economic impact of $727 million
- Tourism generated 7,452 total jobs in Rapid City (increase of 2.9%)
- In Rapid City, visitors spent the most money on food and beverage ($142 million), lodging ($133 million), recreation ($83.5 million), transportation ($76.4 million) and retail ($9 million)
- In Rapid City, the tourism economy generated $51.4 million in government revenues; without this tax generation, each household in Rapid City would pay an additional $1,640 to replace visitor-generated taxes
- Rapid City’s top markets include South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota and Colorado
“Visitor spending is the highest it’s been in the last five years,” added Kaufman. “Rapid City and our local businesses and industries benefited from a 3.6% growth in total visitor spending over last year, pumping nonresident dollars directly into our economy.”
South Dakota also experienced a strong tourism year in 2023, with statistics that include:
- South Dakota welcomed 14.7 million visitors who spent $4.96 billion
- The tourism industry supported 57,835 jobs in South Dakota
- Tourism spending generated $384 million in local and state tax revenue
Visit Rapid City markets and promotes Rapid City through a variety of strategic efforts, including paid advertising, social media, website, content marketing, newsletters, meetings + conventions, sporting events, public relations and more.
Learn more about Visit Rapid City at VisitRapidCity.com.
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About Visit Rapid City:
Visit Rapid City is the official marketing organization for Rapid City and promotes leisure travel, meetings and conventions, and sporting events to Rapid City and the Black Hills area. More information can be found at VisitRapidCity.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest or discover images and content with #VisitRapidCity.
Visit Rapid City Media Contact:
Tia Troy
tia@lightningbugpublicrelations.com
406.529.8314