SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO.com) — South Dakota’s tourism industry enjoyed a record year in 2025, but what about this year? With gas prices jumping over four dollars per gallon, that’s a big question mark. Teri Schmidt, Executive Director of ‘Experience Sioux Falls’, says families are having some hard discussions about vacation plans. “Are they really gonna do it, or aren’t they? Are they really gonna spend $4 or $5 for gas to take that trip? Or, are they gonna fall back and say, ‘We’ll do a short 3 or 4 or 5-day trip’?”
The high gas prices could actually strengthen tourism in South Dakota, if people decide to vacation closer to home. Schmidt says the convention side of the tourism industry remains strong.
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