May 6, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Every year at the beginning of May, destinations across the country recognize National Travel and Tourism Week by highlighting the importance that travel and tourism play in our nation’s economy. May 5-11 you will see DMOs, or destination marketing organizations, of all sizes, including convention and visitors bureaus and state departments of tourism, pushing key facts and numbers about not only the significant role the industry plays but also why this industry is here to stay.

So just how important is the travel and tourism industry? Here are a few stats according to the U.S. Travel Association:

• Travel generated $2.5 trillion for the U.S. economy in 2018 across all U.S. industries.
• Tax revenue from travel spending for federal, state and local governments totaled $171 billion in 2018. Without these travel-generated tax revenues, each household would pay an average of $1,340 more in taxes every year to maintain the same level of services.
• Regardless of age, 88 percent of Americans place traveling to new places at the very top of their bucket list.
• More than two-thirds, or 72 percent, of American adults would rather spend money on experiences than things.
• Travel supported 15.7 million American jobs in 2018 across all U.S. industries – that’s one in 10 American jobs, making travel the seventh-largest employer in the private sector.

In 2018, the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau was able to count just under 2 million visitors coming to Sioux Falls, creating an economic benefit of approximately $486 million — and this is only what it could count. State and local taxes generated $298 million in 2018. Take a look at the economic impact of the travel industry for each state from the U.S. Travel Association.

DMOs can push out all the numbers, percentages and figures that are out there, but at the end of the day, National Travel and Tourism Week is for you, the consumer. Vacations with family and friends have and always will be a key to happiness. Did you travel with your family at a young age? If so, you likely still have vivid memories of some of those trips because of the positive impact they had on you. So we want you to return the favor by traveling with your children because it will create memories that will last a lifetime.

For all the employers out there, encourage your employees to take time off and travel.

Let’s face it, we all get worn out from the daily grind of our jobs, and we begin to notice a lack of motivation. It has been proven time and time again that traveling is one of the best stress relievers because it keeps the mind and body refreshed. You will find yourself returning to work with a renewed sense of happiness and motivation.

Locally, the Sioux Falls CVB is celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week with a variety of tactics. A fun consumer campaign was launched on VisitSiouxFalls.com/Quiz to quiz users on their knowledge of local attractions.

The CVB also is encouraging businesses to have their employees get out and explore our city’s offerings over the next few weeks in a Sioux Falls Tour Contest so that they’re equipped with many great recommendations for when visitors ask what there is to do in our city. This campaign has been a huge success, with 750 cards being handed out, making it a sell-out.

CVB staff members handed out over 250 free Sioux Falls T-shirts at a variety of locations last week in a Surprise & Delight event to spread awareness of National Travel & Tourism Week. Stay tuned for another Surprise & Delight that is planned soon.

The Sioux Falls CVB will wrap up its National Travel & Tourism Week celebration with the annual Visitor Industry Luncheon on May 14 where it will hand out industry awards and hear from “Shark Tank’s” Daymond John. Get your tickets before it’s too late!

To see more visitor industry updates from the CVB, click here.