From KFBB News
Sept. 14, 2012
Helena legislators and candidates attended a roundtable discussion Friday morning to discuss the tourism industry.
The Montana Lodging and Hospitality Association and Voices of Montana Tourism held the non-partisan breakfast at Jorgenson’s in Helena.
Event organizers are hoping to educate decision makers about the value of tourism in the Montana economy.
They say last year, nonresident visitors spent $2.8 billion in Montana.
With the upcoming legislature, they’re discouraging bills that would divert the tourism marketing budget.
Executive Director of Montana Lodging and Hospitality Association Stuart Doggett said, “We don’t want to see those dollars diverted to other programs because when we see those dollars for tourism and promotion, what it does is it generates dollars into our economy. And in turn, then those businesses pay taxes and that helps our overall general fund and our budget.”
Voices of Montana Tourism says one in thirteen Montana jobs has been created by out of state tourism.
