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Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research at the University of Montana conducts travel and recreation research in Montana, with a primary focus on the nonresident travel survey conducted throughout the state. The Institute produces widely used statewide estimates of total nonresident visitation and travel expenditures, visitor characteristics in the state each year, and annual estimate of the economic contribution of nonresident travel to Montana's economy. The research and creative scholarship by the faculty of the Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research includes studies into the social and environmental impacts of tourism; regional and community tourism planning and development; niche market studies; geotourism; and outdoor recreation.

Submissions from 2017 2017

2016 Nonresident Visitation, Expenditures & Economic Impact Estimates, Kara Grau

Age Defining Life Stage Traveling: Montana Nonresident Travel Groups, Kara Grau and Norma P. Nickerson

Analyzing Economic and Social Opportunities and Challenges Related to Bison Conservation in Northeast Montana, Jeremy L. Sage

Focus on Activities - Montana Visitors' Key Niche Activities, Norma P. Nickerson and Kara Grau

The Montana Expression 2017: 2017’s Costly Fire Season, Jeremy L. Sage and Norma P. Nickerson

The Montana Expression 2017: Invasive Species and Water Recreation, Norma P. Nickerson and Megan Schultz

Thinking Outside the Park - National Park Fee Increase Effects on Gateway Communities, Jeremy L. Sage, Norma P. Nickerson, Zachary D. Miller, Alex Ocanas, and Jennifer Thomsen

Visitor Characteristics and Economic Analysis of Northeast Montana, Jeremy L. Sage

Submissions from 2016 2016

2015 Economic Contribution of Nonresident Travel Spending in Montana Travel Regions and Counties, Kara Grau

2015 Nonresident Visitation, Expenditures & Economic Impact Estimates: Estimates by full year, quarters, trip purposes, and international visitors, Kara Grau

2016 Spartan Race Survey Kit Visitor Study, Megan Tanner Schultz

A Comparison of Vacationer Spending Segments, Kara Grau and Norma P. Nickerson

An Assessment of the Resort Tax: Collections and Usage in Montana Communities, Kara Grau

Assessing Character of Place to Guide Geotourism - A Case Study of Two Montana Communities, Evan Tipton, Norma P. Nickerson, and Jennifer Thomsen

Assessing Going-to-the-Sun Road Travelers’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Bicycling, Brian Battaglia and Norma P. Nickerson

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2016, Megan Tanner Schultz

Building Constituency at Yellowstone National Park: Predicting Visitor Support Now and Into the Future, Jacob Daniel Jorgenson and Norma P. Nickerson

Comparing Bicyclists, Non-Bicyclists, and Bus Drivers in Glacier National Park, Norma P. Nickerson and Brian Battaglia

Economic Contributions of the Yellowstone River to Park County, Montana, Jeremy L. Sage

Montana Dragon Boat Festival 2016, Megan Schultz

Montana Winter Fair - 2016, Megan Tanner Schultz

Park County, WY Visitor Profile: 2016 to 2005 Comparison, Norma P. Nickerson

The Event at Rebecca Farms - 2016, Megan Schultz

The Importance of Traveler Spending on Locally Produced Goods and Services, Kara Grau and Norma P. Nickerson

The Montana Expression 2016: Vacation Planning, Norma P. Nickerson

Understanding Park Support: Philanthropy and Other Support for Yellowstone National Park, Geoffrey G. Havens and Norma P. Nickerson

Using DMAs as a Marketing Tool: 2015 Nonresident Visitor Data, Jacob Daniel Jorgenson and Norma P. Nickerson

What We Know about Crowding and Visitor Experiences, Norma P. Nickerson

Submissions from 2015 2015

2014 Economic Contribution of Nonresident Travel Spending in Montana Travel Regions and Counties, Kara Grau

2014 Nonresident Visitation, Expenditures, and Economic Impact Estimates: Estimates by full year, quarters, trip purposes, and international visitors., Kara Grau

2015 Montana State High School Rodeo Finals, Megan Tanner Schultz

Canadian Travelers in Montana: Traveler Profiles by Purpose of Trip to the State, Kara Grau and Brian Battaglia

Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Rendezvous 2015, Megan Schultz

Montana Dragon Boat Festival 2015, Megan Schultz

Montana Folk Festival 2015, Megan Schultz

Pond Hockey Classic 2015, Megan Tanner Schultz

Relocation to Montana: Current Residents Who Were Influenced by Previous Vacations or Seasonal Tourism Jobs to Move to the State, Kara Grau

Revisiting Market Segments based on "What Attracted Visitors to Montana", Norma P. Nickerson and Jake Jorgenson

Spartan Race 2015, Megan Schultz

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2015, Megan Schultz

The Montana Expression 2015: Bicycling, Norma P. Nickerson and Megan Schultz

The Role of Social Science in Predicting Support for Yellowstone National Park, Jacob Daniel Jorgenson and Norma P. Nickerson

Tourism and Recreation Trends and Outlook: Montana's Varied Traveler - A look into Quarterly Differences, Norma P. Nickerson and Megan Schultz

Submissions from 2014 2014

2013 Nonresident Visitation, Expenditures & Economic Impact Estimates: Estimates by full year, quarters, trip purposes & international visitors, Kara Grau

Analysis of Touring Cyclists: Impacts, Needs and Opportunities for Montana, Norma P. Nickerson, Jake Jorgenson, Meredith Berry, and Jane Kwenye

An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia and Megan Schultz

Bicycle Tourism: Providing Economic Development Opportunities for Montana, Norma P. Nickerson, Jacob Daniel Jorgenson, Meredith Berry, Jane Kwenye, Daniel Kozel, and Jessica Schutz

Buses for Byways: Concept Plan, Norma P. Nickerson

Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Community Image: Gardiner, Montana, Norma P. Nickerson and Meredith S. Berry

Comparison of MT Visitor's and MT Resident's Use of Downtowns, Norma P. Nickerson