New challenges for tourism in western South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — This weekend is the start of tourism season for a lot of companies in Western KELOLAND.

And as households pack up for his or her tenting journeys, gasoline costs are at a number of the highest numbers but. That is regarding for some iconic Black Hills points of interest.

Wall Drug has been a staple alongside Interstate 90 for many years, providing free water and 5-cent espresso for individuals on their solution to and from the Black Hills.

Nevertheless, this yr the enterprise is dealing with a brand new problem.

“Getting into, we thought it’d be good, perhaps not fairly that good however good. What I’m involved about is the gasoline costs,” Rick Hustead, Chairman of Wall Drug, stated.

In comparison with final yr, Wall Drug’s customer numbers are down 10%.

Chairman Rick Hustead says his enterprise is a drive market. This implies individuals are inclined to drive to or via Wall Drug when within the space. So if the gasoline costs proceed to rise, Hustead says this summer time tourism season may very well be impacted.

“Which they’re speaking about 6 greenback gasoline which I believe would influence and diesel over that which might influence the campers. In order that’s just a little regarding however I don’t assume it’s going to cease the season,” Hustead stated.

This isn’t only a concern for Wall Drug. But additionally for companies in Keystone, just like the Huge Thunder Gold Mine.

“We attempt to be cheap, we put packages collectively. We all know they’re struggling like we’re struggling and so we wish it to be an excellent trip for them and have the most effective time that they will for the amount of cash that they’re spending,” Sandi McLain, proprietor of Huge Thunder Inc., stated.

The Huge Thunder Gold Mine Proprietor, Sandi McLain, says their numbers are decrease in comparison with final yr.

“However it’s getting busier and busier by Memorial Day. We hope it would maintain as much as par but it surely’s been fairly a gradual spring,” McLain stated.

We additionally know that staffing has been a problem for companies all over the place however some have needed to modify to working with fewer workers.

“We have now a really loyal employees they usually’ve been right here fairly a very long time they usually all returned this yr,” McLain stated.

“In 2019, our regular employees was 200. In 2020, we needed to run with 80 workers much less, 40% much less, 120 which was very participating however we made it. However we realized how one can run with much less assist. Final yr we had 165 workers and operated very effectively in the most effective yr we ever had,” Hustead stated.

Each Wall Drug and Huge Thunder say final yr’s customer numbers have been a number of the highest they’ve ever seen.

Whereas this yr’s foot site visitors could also be just a little decrease thus far, everyone seems to be eager for a profitable summer time tourism season, together with the T-shirt Store.

“We’re just a little extra relaxed this yr. Very grateful for the previous years, however very anxious for this yr,” Cindy Wicks, Proprietor of the T-shirt Store, stated.

“I’ve a really optimistic outlook on this season, it’s going to be completely different,” McLain stated.

“We’re thrilled to be full so far as staffing, that might be a fantastic benefit. We can have a bit extra of Wall Drug open and we’re trying ahead to this season and we expect it is going to be one,” Hustead stated.

These companies say there may be nonetheless lots of summer time left to go. And whatever the excessive gasoline costs, they’re opening their doorways for everybody who is ready to make the journey.