Tourism in North Dakota faster than national growth rates

North Dakota appears to be outpacing the rest of the country, with traveller growth up 10.7% in 2008 when compared to 2006 and spending up 11.5% in the same period.

Speaking at a press conference this week tourism officials and government representatives compared these figures to the national figure of 8.1% national growth in travellers and only 2.1% growth in visitor spending.

Working off statistics provided by IHS Global Insight, analysts say that Canadians have been a big contributor in boosting numbers to the state with the market growing 32% from 2006 to 2008.

“Nationally in the tourism industry, we’re seeing fewer and fewer people travelling, but not in North Dakota,” said Shane Norton, IHS Global Senior Consultant.

Interestingly business travel to the state has managed to lift in the two years on report, despite the sector dropping nationally.

One of the key factors in the states success has been attributed to the consistent “Legendary” brand launched by North Dakota Tourism, which has been the key marketing strategy for the last eight years.