Seeking out rural areas (I’m including our whole plains region) while travelling or taking a trip can be incredibly rewarding. We want travellers to abandon the big populations and head for the plains.
Recently I read on of a travel site that ‘domestic leisure travel’ will continue to be the main driver for growth in the U.S. travel industry. In 2016, domestic travelers spent $836.6 billion in the United States—representing 84 percent of total travel expenditures. Assumedly South Dakota and the neighboring states are a part of that. Unfortunately, and maybe I did not look in the right place, but SD Tourism does not list Fast Facts after 2010. I’m assuming we might be off of the beaten path for a large portion of that $836 billion, but we are here and not going a way. Our region is a great target for “domestic leisure travel.” We know where to find Mt. Rushmore, where to camp, motels, which highway to view the Needle’s Highway, the Black Hills Play House, or the Corn Palace. If you were to ask a travel agent where to go on the back roads, or city streets to find local “out-of-this-world” chicken, or that amazing ice cream parlor that boasts “the most awesome chocolate malts,” could they tell you? Could they tell you where the locals go for the best fishing holes, or how about an artists’ ride? Could they tell you that the pie is amazing at the Alpine Inn in Hill City, or that there’s this amazing little greenhouse “Forget-Me-Not” in the country on the Minnesota, South Dakota border? How about tell you the history of Harding County and the Petroglyphs, or the local winery in Rosholt or the best little steakhouse in Ward? Doubtful. I’m willing to bet on it. But. We. Can. When I moved to Clear Lake 7 years ago, a friend introduced me to some amazing little stores and the towns in which they were located. Since that time I have been exploring and looking for more. We are giving it our best shot and working to gather them one by one or together. Our rural roads and downtown city streets have shops, unique services, special locations, or outstanding food that others should know about. Destinations. Domestic Leisure Travel We are working and prepared to get the word out. We are in for the long haul, we truly believe in local. We believe in the entrepreneur. Our passion is to list destination clusters (See website's SERVICES), chamber members, businesses, museums, and events so others can find them too. To advertise with us for a year is so inexpensive that one can't afford not to; $25 for a basic listing for a year. There are all kinds of packages however, “A la Carte” to help work with a budget. In closing, we now are offering additional services and that is managing business owner's social media. Let us tell your story, Joan
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Travel Backroads
February 2022
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