More Than 11 Million Nonresidents Visited Montana in 2013, Spent $3.6 Billion

Estimates of the number of travelers to Montana and how much they spent in the state during 2013 have been finalized by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana.

According to Kara Grau, ITRR’s assistant director of economic analysis, visitation was up 2.3 percent in 2013, topping out at just over 11 million travelers to the state during the year. During the third quarter, July through September, 46 percent or 5.1 million of those visitors were in the state. Nearly 50 percent of spending by travelers during 2013 totaled nearly $1.7 billion, with travel-group spending averaging $163.77 per day during summer months.

Full Story: http://news.umt.edu/2014/03/031014spen.aspx