COVER STORY
VISITORS = JOBS, SALES TAX
& ECONOMIC BENEFIT
| In 2012, overall sales tax revenue in Sioux Falls was up 6.2 percent and entertainment tax was up 7.3 percent. The economic benefit of visitors to Sioux Falls was $226 million. |
"Every year, Sioux Falls welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors
to our community. Their stay in
Sioux Falls is vitally important to our local economy. Visitor spending is a growing and
critical factor in our
community's strategic economic development plan."
-Dana Dykhouse, CEO
First PREMIER Bank |
In Minnehaha and Lincoln counties
alone, 9,355 jobs
are supported by
the visitor industry. |
In 2012, more than
108 million people were
reached through direct advertising.
|
| In 2012, room tax showed an overall increase of 3.46
percent over 2011. |
| VisitSiouxFalls.com generated 221,259 unique visits, a 57 percent increase over 2011. A new mobile site was launched in March, generating 47,145 visits. |
| In 2012, the CVB booked 108 events through 2017, with an estimated economic impact of $17 million. |
| Without tax revenue generated by the visitor industry, each South Dakota household would have to pay an additional $878 in taxes. |
"In the last six years our nation has learned what no revenue can do to a business or community; visitors are a gift that benefit our entire city and state positively, and if we continue to do it right, they'll be friends for life."
- Jan Grunewaldt, General Manager
BEST WESTERN PLUS Ramkota Hotel & Convention Center |
| In 2012, the Falls Park Visitor
Information Center saw
174,959 people walk through their doors from all 50 states
and 56 foreign countries. |
In 2012, Travel Media Showcase brought
the largest number of travel writers ever to Sioux Falls. Booked in 2012, Small Market Meeting Conference will bring over 100 meeting planners to
Sioux Falls in 2013. |
| The CVB will celebrate its 40th anniversary in December 2013. |
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