4th quarter tourism numbers show North Dakota continuing upward trend Posted on 2/5/2010
For more information contact: Sara Otte Coleman, Director, Tourism Division North Dakota Department of Commerce www.ndtourism.com 701-328-2525
North Dakota continues to buck national trends by trending up in 4th quarter 2009. When compared to 4th quarter 2008, state park visitors were up 5 percent, national park visitors increased by 7 percent and cumulative lodging tax was up by 11 percent.
"We announced in November that North Dakota outpaced the nation in core tourism growth between 2006 and 2008, growing by 10.7 percent. Our 4th quarter numbers show us continuing that trend during a time when the tourism industry on a whole considers flat as the new up," said Sara Otte Coleman, director of the North Dakota Tourism Division.
In the 4th quarter of 2009, the national and state parks numbers rose to the top. Canadian border crossings also turned the corner posting strong growth in both November and December, and air travelers continued to board more planes in 2009 increasing by 3.4% since 2008.
"Nationally, we've seen several reports in which visitor numbers are back up, but spending continues to lag," Otte Coleman notes. "But not here. The taxable sales tied to tourism grew through the third quarter particularly in arts, recreation and entertainment with a 4.3% gain in the 4th quarter."
Some 4th Quarter Statistics at a Glance:
State Park Visitors
2009 4th quarter - 91,328
2008 4th quarter - 86,712
Percent change +5%
National Park Visitors
2009 4th quarter - 121,560
2008 4th quarter - 113,949
Percent change +7%
Major Attractions
2009 4th quarter - 1,128,860
2008 4th quarter - 1,130,201
Percent change 0%
Cumulative Lodging Tax
2009 4th quarter - $1,235,991.74
2008 4th quarter - $1,114,759.53
Percent change +11%
Canadian Border Crossing
2009 4th quarter - 160,137
2008 4th quarter - 152,896
Percent change +5%
ND Airport Passengers
2009 4th quarter - 183,291
2008 4th quarter - 177,287
Percent change +3%
Otte Coleman noted that the tourism division is currently finalizing the year end statistics and expects to release those numbers along with the division's annual report in late February.
For more information, go to NDtourism.com or phone 701-328-2525 or 800-435-5663.
