tourism

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.

In 2022, around 125,000 people hired a guide or outfitter service on their visit to Montana, according to a report by the Insitute of Tourism and Recreation Research.

A report from the National Park Service (NPS) shows that approximately 2.9 million visitors to Glacier National Park in 2022 spent an estimated $368 million in communities near the park.