The Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR) conducts travel & recreation research in Montana

The Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR) conducts travel and recreation research in Montana, with a primary focus on the nonresident travel survey conducted statewide. ITRR is perhaps best known for producing the widely used statewide estimates of total nonresident visitation and travel expenditures, as well as visitor characteristics, in the state each year, along with the annual estimate of the economic contribution of nonresident travel to Montana’s economy. Read more about the nonresident travel survey and visitation and spending estimation models.

0 Million

people visited Montana in 2025

$ 0 Billion

spent by Montana visitors in 2025

0 Jobs

supported by travel & tourism in Montana

Get Involved

Curious what ITRR has been up to lately? Join us for a Research Roundup!

ITRR’s Research Roundup sessions allow you to learn about recently completed projects and explore key findings.

Curious about tourism and want to learn more?

ITRR's Tourism Fundamentals: Concepts to Practice video series breaks down essential concepts, theories, and practices in tourism and outdoor recreation. Each short video offers a focused introduction to key topics—watch each one individually for quick insights, or explore the full series on the ITRR YouTube channel for comprehensive learning. Explore the series here!

Are you a Montana resident interested in participating in research?

We invite you to join our research panel to share your perspectives on travel, tourism, and recreation.

ITRR Research Priorities

What's New

The State of Short-Term Rentals – 2024

This report examined the role short-term rentals (STRs) play in Montana’s housing challenges, building on earlier ITRR research (Bigart et al., 2021).

Montana on Screen: Exploring Film Tourism in Montana

This report presents a study exploring how film and TV show exposure influences tourism to Montana, a state long celebrated for its cinematic landscapes and Western heritage.

Beyond Artifacts and Fossils: Exploring the Contributions and Socioeconomic Impacts of Montana’s Museums and Paleontological Tourism

This study explores how Montana’s museums, including those along the Montana Dinosaur Trail, influence communities, economies, and visitor experiences in a post-pandemic environment.