tourism

Like other host cities around the U.S., hotel bookings are trailing early expectations. But boosters of downtown and the hotel industry are trying to stay upbeat.

A new partnership between the University of Montana, Destination Missoula and the Missoula Tourism Business Improvement District aims to boost tourism through university events.

A record number of out-of-state visitors spent roughly $5 billion while traveling to Montana in 2024, money that drives one of the state’s strongest economic sectors through tourism-oriented businesses.

The outdoor industry grew 7.2% in 2023; ranks third in nation for contribution to state GDP, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Racene Friede writes, "Over the past two decades visitation to Glacier National Park has doubled, and in 2023 was close the 3 million people.

The volume of tourists to Las Vegas is nearing pre-pandemic levels despite convention attendance remaining 10% lower, one of the region’s top tourism promoters recently told economic forecasters.

More than 600,000 visitors passed through one of Glacier’s entrances during September, nearly 50,000 more than in 2023.

Commercial fishermen at Pier 45 in Fisherman's Wharf are opposing a new development plan they claim could convert their workplace into a public-facing tourist attraction.

Jim Elliott writes, "To tax the tourists and use the receipts to offset residential property tax increases is not a terribly new idea and has been used successfully in several small taxing jurisdictions in Montana."

Property taxes have become a major issue for Montana residents this year and a point of contention between counties and the state, each pointing the finger at the other for who’s to blame for the rate increase.