North Dakota summer tourism up nearly 8% over 2022

(Fargo, ND) -- The news is good when it comes to summer tourism for the state of North Dakota. 

"Right now we are showing that our arrivals to the state are up about 7.6 percent over last year. Part of that is fueled by Canadians are finally coming back. Border crossing are up about 50 percent," said Sara Otte Coleman, Director for the North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing.

Otte Coleman also says the state's hotel occupancy rate is also up 7.6 percent. 

Traffic to the state's tourism website is up about 8 percent. 

Otte Coleman also credits a travel promotional campaign which her department launched in the spring called "Hello North Dakota", aimed at emphasizing what she calls the state's "super friendly" and "welcoming" culture. 

Otte Coleman appeared on WDAY Mid Day on AM 970.