North Dakota�s tourism industry is at about the same level as a year ago, despite high gas prices and unseasonably cool, wet weather in early summer.

Although the number of visitors at some of the state�s major attractions is running somewhat behind a year ago, particularly those that are outdoor centered, hotel and motel occupancy rates are up, according to North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman.

Lodging tax collections are up 4 percent compared to a year ago and hotel-motel occupancy rates are up 2.7 percent. �These are the best indicators for us to judge the number of visitors in North Dakota,� Coleman said. �So far this summer those numbers show our summer travel season is on target despite high gas prices and uncooperative weather.

�In talking to our travel industry partners across the state, they said that the cool, rainy weather we experienced at the beginning of the summer travel season had somewhat of an impact. However, now that temperatures have been climbing, we expect overall visitation numbers to also climb,� Coleman said.

Coleman says another indicator that summer travel will pick up is the number of visitors to the Tourism Division�s Web site. In June, there were 69,157 visits to the Web site compared to 30,061 a year ago � an increase of 130 percent. May also showed an increase of nearly 10,000 � from 50,734 a year ago to 60,104 this year.

Rain and record-breaking cold weather had an impact on the state�s tourism industry early in the summer:

Visitors to state parks were down 8 percent overall; however, visitors to some state parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail have seen increases of nearly 30 percent. The number of visitors to national parks and historic sites was down 10 percent.

Visitors to the state�s major attractions were down 4 percent.

The number of people stopping at local visitor centers was off just 1 percent compared to a year ago.

�We expect to finish the summer travel season strong,� Coleman said. �The research we�ve conducted the past two years shows our Legendary brand continues to be on target. That research shows our out-of-state marketing is making an impact and that it is motivating people to come to North Dakota. Our public relations program, such as the travel writers who are visiting North Dakota this week, is also resulting in North Dakota feature stories across the United States, in Canada and in Europe.�

North Dakota Tourism�s Legendary brand focuses on what makes North Dakota unique: A rich culture and history against a backdrop of scenic beauty with fun things to see and do.

�What we do at the Tourism Division, combined with the work local convention and visitor bureaus, attractions and others in the hospitality industry are doing, continues to make a significant impact on North Dakota�s economy,� Coleman said.

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Media Contact: Rachel Retterath +1 701-328-2532 rretterath@state.nd.us