Tourists in Montana spend big at Glacier, Yellowstone

Much of the spending was concentrated in the regions around Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, which received $1.95 billion and $1.36 billion each year, respectively. Together, these two regions account for 57% of all out-of-town travelers’ spending.

On a county-by-county basis, Flathead County received the most travel spending at just over $1 billion each year. Gallatin County was second with $964 million. Missoula County came in third at $489 million, with Yellowstone County close behind at $446 million.

Lewis and Clark County was sixth at $267 million, while Silver Bow County was 10th at $193 million. Ravalli County was 18th with $64 million.

“On a two-year average, the data shows strong visitor spending in Montana,” said Cara Grau, the Institute’s assistant director of economic analysis. — While spending patterns vary somewhat by state, regions and communities near popular national parks consistently receive the most out-of-town travel spending. However, all parts of Montana benefit from travelers visiting or passing through.”

The northeast region of the state, which the institute calls Missouri River Country, saw the lowest travel spending for the year at $261 million.

In the Glacier region, which includes western and northwestern Montana from Ravalli County to Glacier County, restaurants and bars accounted for $353 million in tourist spending. It was the only region in Montana where tourists spent more on bars and restaurants than on gasoline or diesel.

A total of $1.95 billion spent in the region in 2022 and 2023 directly supported 18,814 jobs and $100 million in state and local tax revenue.

The institute cautioned that these figures are only approximate. Every year they send people around the state to survey tourists to compile a report. The report adjusts 2022 spending figures for inflation.

In Missoula County, the number of jobs directly supported by tourism spending is estimated at approximately 4,000.

About 12.5 million people visited Montana in both 2022 and 2023.

In a previous survey, the Institute reported that about 69 percent of Montanans believe that the overall benefits of tourism outweigh the negative effects.

The institute estimates that tourist spending in Montana reduces the average tax burden on each Montana family by about $930 per year.

For the full report, visit the web page umt.edu/tourism-recreation-research/.