The tourism industry took a major hit nationwide from the coronavirus pandemic.
There’s still uncertainty about the virus as the state tourism industry looks to the future.
Jim Hagen is the secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.
Hagen says tourism picked up over the summer after a weak start last spring.
He expects increased demand after the pandemic and says the largest problem is filling the labor force.
“We just have not been able to attract the number of workers that so many of our businesses have needed, and – to you point now – hopefully as we begin to see light at the end of this tunnel, and we work our way back towards welcoming those visitors again, in larger numbers, I believe that’s going to be another – it's still going to be an issue for us.”
Hagen says people are more optimistic and are making plans for travel.
He expects a jump in tourism by the summer months.