JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Jamestown Tourism held their annual meeting Monday to discuss 2021, visitor numbers, completed projects, economic impact and more.
The Tourism board discussed marketing & advertising for the year, visitor interactions, 2021 budget, and looked ahead on 2022. Executive Director Searle Swedlund says there were a number or things that made 2021 a “dynamic” year for tourism.
Swdlund says they like to use their car counter at the World’s Largest Buffalo as a test to how successful the year had been.
A big push for statewide tourism groups was tapping into “pent up” demand for tourism and focused on the “year of the road trip.” Swedlund says tourism was able to leverage with North Dakota Tourism to use digital tools to get some of those visitors to Jamestown.
For 2021, 88,588 cars were counted at the World’s Largest Buffalo, up from 71,300 in 2019. Swedlund says one of the biggest surprises was how much attendance was up at the National Buffalo Museum.
As a whole, North Dakota Tourism data shows visitation in Jamestown was up 39.3% from 2019.
Another positive to the increase in visitors is the increase in economic spending. Jamestown Tourism reported a strong 3rd and 4th quarter in the received hospitality tax receipts. Swedlund says this acts as a different sort of economic development for Jamestown they they continue to explore how best to use moving forward.
Swedlund says continuing to market and develop their message will be important moving ahead with plans to unveil their digital tour and photo/video project later this year.
Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Searle Swedlund below:
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KQDJ Podcast
The KQDJ Podcast is your direct link to the latest local information from Jamestown and the surrounding area including Blue Jay and Jimmie Sports and Local News and Events. Catch local sports with Jarin Matheny as he chats with local coaches and players. You can also hear previous game broadcasts and interviews. Listen to Let's Talk About It, a community focused show highlighting area events and non-profits in Jamestown and Stutsman County. Let's Talk About It can be heard every Monday through Friday at 6:30 AM on Jamestown 107.1 FM.