FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mike Knutson
Phone: (605) 772-5153
Email: knutsonm@alliancecom.net

Agritourism: Opportunity waiting to happen

If rural communities want to see jobs created in their communities, they should consider rural tourism development. That was one of the central themes proposed by Dr. Russell Stubbles at an agritourism workshop held Saturday in Howard.

Dr. Stubbles, a professor from South Dakota State University, spoke to individuals who are interested in developing agritourism activities on their farms.

Some participants already operate hunting lodges and were looking to develop other activities that would draw visitors year-round. Other participants just knew that they have opportunity with their farms and were looking for ideas.

Dr. Stubbles said he would like to see 500 new agritourism businesses established in South Dakota during the next five year. He thinks this is a reasonable figure based on what’s happening in other places.

With nineteen people attending the workshop in Howard, this region would appear to be on their way. But to be successful, people have to be willing to take the plunge and start their own business. Jacquie Fuks from Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association emphasized that the likelihood of a businesses’ success improves greatly if they are not the only tourism business in the area.

“We need a critical mass and then people need to work together,” says Jacquie Fuks from the Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association. “One individual may have the lodging and good horse riding land, but tourists will want do some other activities as well. The business owner then needs to be able to connect their guest with their neighbor who may be a bird watching expert or an astronomer.”

The Miner County Community Revitalization Economic Development Committee is looking at what it can do to help develop tourism in the area. Sponsoring this workshop was the first step, but they would also like to know of people who are considering this type of venture. Anyone who is currently looking to develop a tourism related business is encouraged to contact the MCCR office.