Central ND News

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Division has reported a successful year for tourism in the state, despite challenges such as a slowing economy and reduced consumer spending.

"Through strategic marketing, industry partnerships and the momentum of our 'HELLO' campaign we continue to see growth, despite being outspent by our competitors," said Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman.

The state experienced an 8.8% increase in airport arrivals, a 10.2% rise in border crossings, and 7.4 million U.S. domestic road trips. Hotel revenues reached $548 million, marking a 5.8% increase, while tax receipts for accommodations and food services exceeded $2.2 billion. A study conducted in 2024 with Longwoods International indicated that visitors are staying longer and participating more in activities compared to national averages in outdoor recreation, sports tourism, and special events.

North Dakota's 'HELLO' campaign is now in its third year with a $4.2 million media budget that has generated 438 million media impressions through targeted advertising and partnerships. These marketing efforts have resulted in 132 million digital impressions and 17 million video views, alongside a significant increase of 30% in website traffic users.

Media outreach and collaborations with influencers have enhanced North Dakota’s image, achieving 3,429 media placements with an audience reach of 6.1 billion people. Social media engagement has also risen sharply with an 83% increase in web traffic referrals. The state's vast open spaces along with welcoming communities have effectively highlighted North Dakota's scenic beauty and accessibility.

Looking ahead to the future, North Dakota Tourism aims to build on this success into 2025 and beyond. The full details can be found in the 2024 Annual Report available at https://www.commerce.nd.gov/tourism-marketing/research-and-reports.