In a summer where we've seen plenty of wildfires and a large spread drought, state officials report that South Dakota's tourism industry is actually having a good year. The South Dakota Tourism Department says hotel occupancy statewide is up nearly eight percent, meaning hotels and motels are filling more rooms compared with the same period last year. Nationally, hotel occupancy is up only 3.4 percent.

Taxable sales reported by motels, campgrounds and other tourism–related businesses are up 7 percent on the year. And the department reports that the number of new visitors to its tourism promotion website is up nearly 28 percent.

Associated Press