BROOKINGS, South Dakota (KELO) – The South Dakota Children’s Museum has all kinds of activities for kids, from climbing to building.
About 60 percent of visitors to Brookings attractions come from outside the county, said Marketing Director Kelly Vilhauer.
“Usually we have people from all 50 states. We missed a few last year, but we’re definitely going to get them this year. We see people from all different countries,” Vilhauer said. .
The Children’s Museum is one of the many things to experience and see in the area.
Last year, visitors spent about $125 million in Brookings County.
“Tourism is so important to Brookings’ economic ecosystem. It’s economic development. It provides jobs and visitors that increase spending, which not only helps local businesses but also brings in sales tax revenue for local residents,” said Laura Sean Carbonneau, executive director of Visit Brookings.
While Shane Carbonau says inflation may change some people’s travel plans, he is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season.
“We know that people may take shorter trips or spend more on food and drink instead of spending more in retail stores, all of which we know will help develop tourism and the economy. We’re hopeful that people will continue to travel and we’re very confident that they will,” Sean Carbonneau said.
Attractions like children’s museums are ready to welcome such visitors.
“We have high expectations that this will be a vibrant year,” Vilhauer said.
May 19th to 25th is National Travel and Tourism Week.
Visit Brookings is celebrating the week with a variety of events.
