PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota officials say last year was a strong year for tourism in the state.

Officials say about 13.7 million people visited South Dakota in 2015 and spent nearly $3.8 billion.

Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen says tourism got a boost from low gas prices and landmark anniversaries — such as the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the 50th Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup.

But Hagen says apart from those events, visitor levels stayed strong into the fall.

Governor Dennis Daugaard says the number of visitors to South Dakota increased by nearly 3 percent over 2014.

Daugaard says 2016 is also expected to be a strong year for tourism. State officials are looking forward to the centennial of the National Park Service and the 75th anniversary of the completion of Mount Rushmore.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

See Also on KSOO: