According to two sessions given by the Trade Sales & Marketing team this morning, international visitation and motorcoach tours were up in South Dakota in 2008. This is evidenced by rest area counts, and by input from South Dakota attraction promoters.
During the sessions, travel industry members discussed ways to target group tours, travel agents and meeting and convention planners for 2009 business.
“We’re excited that Rapid City will host TAP (Travel Alliance Partners) group tour operators in June 2009 and showcase the Black Hills area to these operators who will bring potential tours to the area,” said Maureen Droz, Trade Sales Manager for the Office of Tourism.
Reports from mainland Europe show that those markets still plan to travel and the Euro is still strong against the dollar. The United Kingdom reports that even with the low value of the pound, people will still continue to travel for their holidays. The South Dakota travel industry will continue to host familiarization tours, attend trade shows and target both international and domestic tour operators, working together to promote South Dakota to gain this business.
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