National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is celebrated annually from May 4-10, 2025. This week is dedicated to recognizing the vital role that travel and tourism play in our communities. Here in Billings, we are excited to honor and raise awareness of the impacts that travel and tourism have on our city and region during our second annual Tourism Celebration Week.
Why We Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week
NTTW is a time to highlight the importance of travel and tourism to the economy, culture, and social fabric of our communities. It provides an opportunity to showcase the benefits that tourism brings, including job creation, economic growth, and community development. By celebrating NTTW, we acknowledge the hard work of those in the tourism industry and encourage continued support and investment in travel and tourism.
The Importance of Tourism for Billings, MT
Tourism is a significant contributor to Billings’ economy. On average, Billings hosts 2.6 million visitors annually who travel for business, medical needs, and leisure. These visitors spend approximately $621 million in local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, retailers, attractions, and more. Despite hosting only 20.8% of travelers to Montana, Billings has the capacity to welcome more visitors and further boost its economy.
Tourism’s impact on Billings is multifaceted:
- Economic Growth: Tourism stimulates economic growth by attracting visitors who spend money in local businesses.
- Job Creation: 1 in 12 Montana workers is supported by out-of-state travel, with non-resident visitors contributing $1.5 billion in direct employee compensation and supporting 48,000 Montana jobs.
- Tax Revenue: Tourism reduces the average tax burden on Montana households by more than $930/year and contributes $414 million in state and local taxes.
Why Billings?
Billings is conveniently positioned in southeast Montana as the largest city between Calgary and Denver, Spokane and Minneapolis. It serves a trade area of over 500,000 people and offers unparalleled access to scenic and historic places like Yellowstone National Park, Bighorn Canyon, national monuments, and the Beartooth Scenic Byway. These attractions make Billings an ideal destination for connecting to the best that Montana and the West have to offer.
Meet Visit Billings
Visit Billings represents the Billings Tourism Business Improvement District (BTBID) and the Billings Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCVB), managed by the Billings Chamber of Commerce. The Visit Billings team is dedicated to growing visitation through sales and marketing initiatives, with a mission to generate room nights for lodging facilities by effectively marketing the region as a preferred travel destination.
Funding Visit Billings
Visit Billings is funded primarily through the BTBID and a portion of the State Lodging Facility Use Tax. The BTBID assesses $4.00 per occupied room per night on all hotels and motels in Billings, with six or more sleeping rooms. This budget supports Visit Billings initiatives outlined in the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, helping Billings remain a competitive destination.
Join us in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week and recognizing the incredible impact of tourism on our community. Follow the Billings Chamber and Visit Billings on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates and insights throughout the week!