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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 2018 2018

Montana's Outfitting Industry - 2017 Economic Contribution and Industry-Client Analysis, Jeremy L. Sage, Carter Bermingham, and Norma P. Nickerson

Montana Tourism Trends and Forecasting, Jeremy L. Sage

Out to Lunch 2018 - Survey Kit, Megan Schultz and Carter Bermingham

Resident Travel in Montana, Kara Grau, Norma P. Nickerson, Jeremy L. Sage, and Megan Schultz

River City Roots Festival 2018 - Survey Kit, Megan Schultz

The Montana Expression 2018: Aquatic Invasive Species and Water Recreation, Norma P. Nickerson and Megan Schultz

The Montana Expression 2018: MT Residents’ Use of Fishing Access Sites & Public Lands and Waterways Values, Kara Grau and Megan Schultz

The Montana Expression 2018: Resident Desires for MT State Park Amenities, Norma P. Nickerson

Trail Usage and Value - A Helena, MT Case Study, Jeremy L. Sage and Norma P. Nickerson

Submissions from 2017 2017

2016 Economic Contribution of Nonresident Travel Spending in Montana Travel Regions and Counties, Kara Grau

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