South Dakota has had some missteps over the years in promoting the state to the rest of the county.
It all started 10 years ago with the ill-fated “Don’t Jerk and Drive” public service campaign to reduce winter driving accidents.
The proposal was later withdrawn after receiving a less-than-enthusiastic response.
Not to be outdone, the state has also brought back the notorious “meth” with its 2019 anti-drug campaign, “We’re On It.”
It was mocked from coast to coast.
Back earlier this year, the state’s first-ever Super Bowl television commercial was met with mixed reviews, in which one-hit wonder band Nine Days reworked the song “Absolutely) Story of A Girl” into “Absolutely) Story of A State,” intended to help promote tourism in the Mount Rushmore State.
Now, a new season brings new hope that the state has learned its lesson.
With the summer travel boom approaching, the Ministry of Tourism has announced its slogan for 2024.
There’s a lot of time in South Dakota, but little time.
According to the state, the goal of the campaign is “…to remind potential travelers of the joy that comes from taking it easy, following your instincts and being spontaneous.”
It seems to be working so far.
The campaign through Travel South Dakota has already generated 82 million impressions, reaching more than 9.7 million people. Officials say web traffic to the site has increased 53% since its launch and the campaign has already generated an estimated $21.4 million in revenue from more than 97,200 hotel and flight bookings.
So what do you think?
What was it like vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota 60 years ago?
At this time of year, we start thinking about planning the perfect vacation to enjoy the warm weather and long sunshine hours.
For many of us who live in South Dakota, that means a trek to the Black Hills and all they have to offer.
But vacationing in western South Dakota is hardly a new idea. People from all over the world have been visiting this area for decades.
Gallery credit: Jeff Harkness/B1027.com
Mount Rushmore’s secret room
But did you know that Mount Rushmore also has a secret room?
Gallery credit: Andy Gott
Haunted Places and Spooky Legends Around Sioux Falls
Halloween is steeped in scary traditions: trick-or-treating, scary costumes, “haunted houses” with local actors, and corn mazes in pitch-black areas. But if we start looking for real haunted areas, what will we find? Even in the past 30 years that I’ve lived in Sioux Falls, some places still make headlines as being haunted.
And of course, a small number of thrill-seekers will show up on our favorite spooky nights to witness some viral video moments or experience foggy ghosts firsthand.
Let’s take a little tour of some of the famous haunted spots around Sioux Falls. Turn on the light and cue the Cowardly Lion. “I believe in ghosts, I believe in ghosts…”
Gallery credit: Danny V
