SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Governor Dennis Daugaard was in Falls Park this morning recognizing National Travel and Tourism week.
Daugaard says most visitors he talks to comment on how friendly South Dakotans are.
The Governor encouraged the assembled crowd to build on that friendliness by helping visitor with direction, recommend your favorite restaurant or place to shop. He says "this year I encourage you to be South Dakota's great faces of travel.
Daugaard says visitor spending of $3.8 billion generated $6 billion dollars in total business sales last year in South Dakota.
The State Department of Tourism says 53,258, with an income of $1.5 billion, were sustained by the visitor industry last year in South Dakota. Visitor supported employment represents 9.5% of all employment in South Dakota.
Including indirect and induced impacts, travel in South Dakota generated $279 million in state and local taxes and $341 million in Federal taxes last year.