Introduction

This is an introductory presentation about diversified tourism opportunities for communities. This is a very rudimentary starting place to help communities, businesses, development organizations or economic development professionals to get introduced to the complimentary nature of tourism to a robust economic development strategy.

This presentation was given at four (Iowa, Missouri, North & South Dakota, and Minnesota) conferences hosted by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in 2006.

Slide 2 Talking Points

Did You Know that Travel and Tourism generates $1.3 trillion in economic activity in the U.S. every year. That equates to $3.4 billion a day, $148 million an hour, $2.4 million a minute and $40,000 a second.

Visitors to South Dakota spent $809 million in 2005, an estimated 7.6 percent increase over 2004, and contributed an estimated $45.4 million in gas and sales tax to the state's general funds. The visitor industry also accounted for approximately 33,590 jobs statewide.

Traveler spending in North Dakota reached an estimated $822.1 million during 1995, up 1.9% from the $806.6 million spent in 1994. Since 1988, travel spending has grown at an average rate of 5.2% per year.

Traveler spending in North Dakota reached an estimated $822.1 million during 1995, up 1.9% from the $806.6 million spent in 1994. Since 1988, travel spending has grown at an average rate of 5.2% per year.

In 1995, the travel industry provided jobs for 14,320 people with a combined payroll of $133.4 million.

Do ya’ll know how important tourism is to rural revitalization – Jack Shultz book – a cursory count 169 references – 100 had some reference to a tourism asset, this is out of the whole universe of possible economic development possibilities

Experiential Tourism: Nature Tourism, Heritage tourism, Agritourism (agritainment), Culinary tourism, Shopping tourism, Ecotourism, Adventure tourism, Cultural tourism, Outdoor recreation, Educational tourism, Geotourism, etc.

Slide 4 Talking Points

The Bottom Line! Keep the community, or business (farm or ranch) thriving so that some day the kids might come back “home”