Tourism

There's no doubt about it, Montana is a real hit with out-of-state visitors. A new study released recently by the University of Montana Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research reveals a huge percentage of unsolicited comment cards contained nearly universal enjoyment of the state.

The Institute for Tourism and Economic Research at the University of Montana recently completed a study of the eight counties in what is called Glacier Country. Non-resident travel contributed over $250 million dollars to the economy of Missoula County alone.

The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research is out with its 2012 Economic Review of Montana's travel industry, and it has good news for tourism in Montana.

The first round of the Social Media Tourism Symposium is over and Missoula will undoubtedly move on to the Elite 8 with seven other cities.

The Montana Department of Commerce Office of Tourism is launching a tourism and brand workshop in the Bitterroot valley on Friday, February 3rd. The program is entitled "Coming Together to Expand Montana's Tourism Story" and is designed to help businesses market themselves and grab hold of vital tourism dollars. Every year, 10.5 million visitors travel through Montana and spend over 2 billion in the local economy.