Tour Operators from Eight European Countries Visit Rapid City

Rapid City, SD, February 03, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Nearly 40 European travel operators will experience Black Hills attractions first-hand as part of the Rocky Mountain International Roundup. Tour operators from Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States will meet with businesses, destinations and attractions from South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho on Sunday, Feb. 13 through Tuesday, Feb. 15 in Rapid City. The Roundup will be headquartered at the Hotel Alex Johnson.

“The Rocky Mountain International Roundup is a unique opportunity for Rapid City to host international tour operators who are interested in learning more about the area,” says Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Director Michelle Thomson. “By hosting the Roundup in Rapid City we have the opportunity to showcase our attractions and tourism businesses, while allowing the operators to experience what we are promoting.”

The 75 regional tourism businesses will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with international tour operators and US-based receptive operators, who host international travelers, to educate them about their destinations and attractions. The Roundup is designed not only for suppliers who are currently operating internationally, but also for those who want to test the waters. International tour operators will have the opportunity to tour the Black Hills and attend evening functions at Mount Rushmore, Black Hills Harley Davidson, the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn and Prairie Edge.

“This event will help to boost visitation to Rapid City and the Black Hills,” says Thomson. “The US Travel Association tells us, ‘With average spending five times higher than domestic travelers, international visitors are a highly lucrative market for the U.S. and its destinations and attractions.’ The Roundup gives us the opportunity to encourage international visitors to spend their travel budgets in our corner of the world.”

The Rapid City CVB is a division of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. The CVB’s mission is to market the Rapid City area as a convention and leisure destination and to promote economic growth that will enhance the area for visitors and residents.

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