Travel, Tourism and Recreation: Nonresident Visitation Stable.

• Author: Nickerson, Norma

The 2020 outlook for travel, tourism and recreation is fairly positive with an expected 2 percent growth over 2019 in visitation to Montana. In 2019, visitor/customer volume increased from 44 percent to 56 percent for business owners, depending on their region. Additionally, 51 percent to 78 percent of the same business owners expect an increase in 2020 (Figure l). Business owners in Southeast Montana are the most optimistic for 2020.

Tourism and recreation trends provide a variety of opportunities and challenges for Montana:

Worker shortage: With unemployment at an all-time low, businesses are cutting hours, closing some days or working themselves ragged. In our annual outlook survey, 81 percent of tourism business owners said finding quality seasonal workers is becoming more difficult, and 71 percent said finding quality year-round workers is more difficult. Some of this is due to the availability of housing indicated by 65 percent of employers (Figure 2).

Short-term rentals: Some communities in Montana are struggling with the growth in homes being converted to short-term rentals. These business opportunities ultimately provide good income for the owners, but at the same time take housing stock out of the market and generally drive rental and housing prices upward. However, small communities that are not in high amenity locations can use online reservation platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to draw visitors to areas where lodging is scant.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS): Montana Senate Bill 363 requires all anglers to purchase an AIS pass. The cost, $2 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, will help Montana keep rivers and lakes free from invasive species that could ultimately destroy the waterways. Thirty-eight percent of

Glacier Country

56 percent had an increase in 2019 and 61 percent expect an increase in 2020. nonresidents who visit in the summer say they are attracted to our lakes and 46 percent are attracted to Montana's rivers. A loss of good fishing could greatly reduce the contribution of nonresident spending to Montana's economy.

Overcrowding in some areas, lagging visitation in others: Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park and their gateway communities continue to grapple with too many people or cars, causing a strain on infrastructure and the landscape. However, many in eastern Montana would love to have more visitors. The challenge is to spread visitors beyond the parks.

Outdoor recreation industry impact: Public...