Montana, known as the Treasure State, boasts spectacular, unspoiled nature and charming towns that beckon travelers from around the globe. The Montana Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism plays a pivotal role in promoting this captivating destination. Working hand-in-hand with tourism industry partners and small businesses, the Office of Tourism diligently coordinates opportunities across the state to showcase Montana’s unique appeal. These collaborative efforts are designed to fuel Montana’s economy by enhancing the visitor experience, boosting visitor spending, and expanding industry capabilities through targeted workshops, technical assistance, public relations initiatives, and strategic grants.
The Office of Tourism provides crucial strategic direction for destination marketing, development, and management throughout Montana. Currently, important initiatives are underway to refine the state’s overarching tourism strategy and update the tourism strategic plan, ensuring Montana remains a premier travel destination.
A cornerstone of the Office’s work is the annual Tourism Grant Program. This program allocates funding to projects that demonstrably strengthen Montana’s economy by fostering growth and improvement within the state’s vibrant tourism and recreation sectors. Complementing this, the Tourism Event Grant Program is specifically designed to elevate local events, transforming them into significant destination events through enhanced marketing efforts and upgrades to the overall visitor experience.
Furthermore, the Office of Tourism provides vital support to Montana’s non-profit Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs). This support includes overseeing the distribution of lodging facility use tax revenue, assisting in the development of effective annual marketing plans and budgets, and ensuring strict compliance with all relevant contracts and regulations.
Montana’s unique “Made in Montana” program receives strong backing from the Office of Tourism. This multifaceted marketing and product development initiative champions value-added products that are crafted or grown within Montana. The program features an online directory of its members, making it easy for both Montana residents and visitors to discover and select authentic Montana products. Specialized niche programs further highlight Native American Made in Montana and Grown in Montana products, adding another layer of cultural and agricultural richness.
Beyond these core programs, the Office of Tourism also dedicates resources to destination development projects and signature events, including the highly regarded Governor’s Conference on Tourism. For those interested in staying informed about important Tourism Advisory Council Meetings, Public Hearings, and Virtual Workshops, the Commerce E-Calendar provides a comprehensive schedule. Through these diverse initiatives, the Montana Office of Tourism actively cultivates and promotes Montana Travel And Tourism, ensuring a thriving industry for years to come.
