2025 tourism dip in ND reflects national trend

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Tourism is a vital part of our state’s economy, supporting businesses and jobs.

New data shows North Dakota saw a dip in visitors last year: 6.5% less than in previous years.

Visit Minot Executive Director Stephanie Shoenrock told city leaders the Magic City saw a 6.7% reduction in visitors last year.

“Tourism is down in the United States, tourism is down in North Dakota and tourism is down in Minot slightly,” said Schoenrock.

Canadian visitors drive a significant portion of the state’s tourism, with Visit Minot monitoring six entry ports in our region.

Shoenrock reports the state saw a 25% decrease in Canadian traffic. And for Minot? A 20% dip.

“Does that 20% hurt? It does. You know what, we were 100% down during the COVID shutdown. And we’ve worked very, very hard, and we’ve seen good impacts,” said Schoenrock.

They also track data from websites, social media, hotels and ticketed events like the State Fair, which Shoenrock said continues to be the top destination for Canadians.

Minot City Council Member Lisa Olson said she hears from Canadians regularly, and wondered if the opening of the Presidential Library in Medora this summer could attract more visitors.

“The Canadians aren’t coming because they’re dissatisfied with what’s being offered in the U.S. Until that changes, I don’t know if they’ll come back— unless you have heard something different,” said Olson.

Shoenrock acknowledged the decline in visitors, but emphasized that Canadians continue to visit.

“Yes, we are down. But we are not as far down as what some entities would like to believe,” said Schoenrock.

Visitors are considered people who live more than 50 miles away and spend at least four hours in the Magic City.

“We have expectations that we’re here for a reason, and that is to bring more humans into Ward County. And I can tell you that is not lost on us, regardless of what the trends are like in the state,” said Schoenrock.

Despite the overall dip, the Visitors Center welcomed people from all 50 states by July last year, along with visitors from 31 other countries.

The top five states Minot saw visitors from are Minnesota, Texas, California, Florida and Montana.

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