The United States is getting more visitors from overseas, and North Dakota seems to be reaching its fair share of them.  Apparently they want to visit and be a part of the western experience ND can provide.

 From this KX News article:

(Fred Walker / ND Tourism) “they want to experience ND – they don’t just want to step out and take a picture and keep driving, they want to ride a horse, they want to fish with locals, visit a pow-wow, they want to be a part of what ND is about.” Fred Walker is in charge of spreading what North Dakota has to offer travelers overseas

And now’s the time to target the international traveler

Visitors from Norway, Sweeden and German are up between 19 to 24 percent.

I think the figure above is for the nation, but it bodes well for ND, as well.

The North Dakota Tourism branding strategy is “I AM LEGENDARY.”   It’s aimed at helping people see themselves in North Dakota, as a part of North Dakota (however briefly) and as a part of North Dakota’s history and culture.

Believe it or not, tourism is the state’s second-largest industry.