University of Montana Study: Montana-Made Products, Services Boost Local Economies

Montana visitors who bought Montana-made products, Montana-grown food or who used local services in 2015 spent, on average, about $185 more in the state each day than visitors who did not purchase local products and services, according to a new study.

A recent analysis of nonresident visitor spending by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana found that in the first three quarters of 2015, visitors spent an average of $147 daily. However, once the visitors were grouped into whether they purchased local products or services on their trip, significant differences emerged. Visitors who reported buying local goods and services spent an average $296 a day, while those who did not make local purchases averaged about $112 a day.

Full Story: http://news.umt.edu/2016/02/021016itrr.php