Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR)

BOO! 👻 Did we scare you? Good...because you won’t want to miss this! You're invited to "Get Grant Ready: A Success Story" – a webinar showcasing how "Get Grant Ready and Pitchfest" turned a small-town Montana dream into an outdoor recreation success story. Learn how they leveraged the workshop’s process and template to gain crucial community backing and secure funding for their project. This webinar is FREE and open to all! 📅 When: November 14th, 12 PM MST 📍 Where: Virtual To learn more and to register, click the link in our bio. This episode is part of the Montana Outdoor Recreation Summit “Continuing the Conversation” Webinar Series: Celebrating Success Stories in Outdoor Recreation, co-hosted by the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR), W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, and Montana Access Project (MAP). Oh, and Happy Halloween! 🎃 #grant #outdoor #recreation #montana

🚨 New Report Alert: Montana Travel Regions & Counties – Economic Contribution of 2022/2023 Averaged Nonresident Travel Spending Nonresident travelers spent an estimated $5.82 billion annually, averaged over two years (2022/2023), generating significant economic impact across Montana’s regions and counties. The report highlights how tourism supports local economies, with spending driving business revenues, employment, and tax contributions across six travel regions and 19 of the 56 counties with the highest spending. Glacier and Yellowstone regions saw the largest shares of nonresident spending, with 34% and 23%, respectively. Click below to check out the full report and detailed interactive dashboard: Report: https://loom.ly/hAnnRAc Dashboard: https://loom.ly/Pz8PXBY NOTE: ITRR generates spending estimates based on primary and secondary data. Survey data collected around the state throughout the year provide insight into average spending patterns and dollar amounts by travel groups. This data, combined with estimates of total visitation to the state, allow for the statewide, region, and county spending estimates to be produced. #montana #travel #tourism #spending

Some of our team just got back from the Basecamp Conference in Moab, UT, and wow—we had a blast! Plus, you really can’t beat that Moab backdrop. 🏜️ Our social scientist and research associate, Carter, participated in the panel “Navigating Partnerships and Innovating Approaches: University and Extension Support for Outdoor Recreation Economies in California, Montana, and Wyoming.” He highlighted ITRR’s unique role in research and shared how we collaborate with partners and stakeholders to support their work. The conference kept us busy, but we still made time for some fun—squeezing in a hike or two AND a float trip on the Colorado River! We’re grateful for the chance to reconnect with old friends and excited about the new connections we made. Huge thanks to the Utah State University Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and the Basecamp Conference crew for an awesome week! #basecamp #utah #moab #travel #tourism #research

We're so excited to continue these important conversations! Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gfxfsHsi

REMINDER! We want to hear your research ideas! 🧐 We’re looking for research ideas that are statewide in scope or can be used as local case studies, showcasing successes or challenges that others can learn from. No need to channel your inner Ron Burgundy with a dramatic running montage 😉, but please submit your ideas by Friday, November 1, 2024. This will allow us to categorize them and present them to the Tourism Advisory Council for review in spring 2025. Click here to submit your idea: https://lnkd.in/gPyHe6ut #montana #recreation #tourism #research

The 2023 ITRR Annual Report is here! 🎉 Curious to see what we’ve been up to? Get the scoop on our latest research, travel and outdoor recreation trends, and behind-the-scenes stories that show how we’re making an impact across Montana. 🌲 Explore the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e_Xtpfuf #itrrumt #montana #recreation #tourism #research

Got an idea for a research project? 💭 We want to hear from YOU! We’re seeking research ideas that are statewide in scope or can serve as case studies for local areas, helping others learn from their successes or challenges. Don’t be shy—share your ideas! Please submit your research ideas by Friday, November 1, 2024, so we can categorize them and present them to the Tourism Advisory Council for review and approval in spring 2025. Click here to submit your idea: https://lnkd.in/gPyHe6ut #montana #recreation #tourism #research

REMINDER! Join us NEXT WEEK for a virtual listening session on ‘Canyon Ferry Reservoir Recreation: Exploring Recreation Use and Users.’ 🛶🎣 This study aims to understand the characteristics of visitors and recreation at Canyon Ferry Reservoir and estimate visitor use of its day-use and overnight sites. Throughout the upcoming year (October 2024 - September 2025), ITRR will employ a variety of research methodologies to gain a deeper understanding of visitor behavior and recreation patterns at Canyon Ferry. We are offering three session options! Wednesday, October 2nd, 10-11 AM MST Thursday, October 3rd, 1-2 PM MST Thursday, October 3rd, 5:30-6:30 PM MST We hope to see you there! Register here: https://loom.ly/sNH21vs #canyonferry #montana #recreation #research

According to a new report, “2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation”, 5.7 million visitors to Montana's National Park Service lands in 2023 spent an estimated $716 million in local gateway regions. These expenditures supported 10,900 jobs, generated $362 million in labor income, added $551 million in value, and contributed $1.1 billion to Montana's economy. Looking for more insights or specific park data? Dive into the full report or explore with an interactive tool here: https://lnkd.in/eQH4q73 Source: Flyr, M., and L. Koontz. 2024. 2023 national park visitor spending effects: Economic contributions to local communities, states, and the nation. Science Report NPS/SR—2024/174. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://lnkd.in/g3Dhh_Jy #montana #nationalpark #nps #data

Are you interested in contributing to travel and recreation research efforts? Join our surveyor team! 🤓 We're hiring a Flathead area surveyor (the ideal candidate will live in the Kalispell area) to conduct nonresident visitor surveys and resident travel and recreation surveys. Supplies provided! Interested in learning more? Visit our website for more details and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/gXyY85kJ #hiring #recreation #research #flathead #montana