The Iowa Great Lakes area had a strong tourism year, according to new statistics as the traditional summer season ends.
Siouxland Public Media News received statistics from the Explore Okoboji group, which reported that from May 15 through September 5 of the Labor Day weekend, there were more than 735,000 visitors to the area.
More than 554,000 of those people traveled from at least 50 miles away. About 25 percent of the people come from the Sioux City area, with lots also coming from Des Moines, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls and Omaha.
“Summer in the Iowa Great Lakes was once again a very successful season,” Explore Okoboji Executive Director Kiley Zankowski said.
“Tourism has a tremendous impact on the Iowa Great Lakes, generating more than $300 million in direct visitor spending and supporting more than 1,400 local jobs. It also generates hotel and motel tax revenue that is reinvested into projects such as bike trails, water quality initiatives, recreational opportunities and other community improvements.”
In a May Facebook post, Explore Okoboji said that more than 900,000 people came to the area over the entire 2025 year.
