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For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Baumgart or
Victor Bjornberg
(Helena)-Recognizing that the tourism and recreation industry is one of the pillars of Montana's economy, Governor Martz, endorsed the completed Montana Tourism & Recreation Strategic Plan 2003-2007. "The tourism and recreation industry is one of the models for our state's future economic growth," said Governor Martz. "Its focus on regional development, partnerships and creating teams to accomplish the job at hand is something this industry has employed…and it has worked." Governor Martz stated that one of the primary reasons for Montana's success in tourism and recreation is that those involved had the foresight to plan ahead and identify how their efforts could do good things for Montana's economic and social well-being. "Planning lets you see where you want to be and it sheds light on the path you need to take to get there," said Governor Martz. "That is a lesson we can put to good use in every sector of our economy." According to Betsy Baumgart, Administrator of the Department of Commerce Montana Promotion Division, the plan was developed to be market driven - for tourism and recreation to respond to the market demand presented by both Montanans and out of state visitors. "In the coming years, tourism and recreation's viability economically, socially, and environmentally will depend on how we listen to what travelers, both in state and out of state, want and need, and then deliver them a first-rate experience," said Baumgart. The Montana Tourism and Recreation Strategic Plan 2003-2007 has been a year in the making. The planning process began in Fall 2001 with a series of eight public meetings held across Montana. Input from the 400 people attending those meetings was combined with ideas and comments from stakeholder groups and individuals to develop the plan's vision statement, goals and objectives. Another 422 Montanans helped prioritize the plan's objectives and actions through an on-line survey. Further refinements were made to the plan using 650 comments received through the survey in addition to on-going discussions with the 75 stakeholder groups. The Hingston Roach Group was contracted by the Montana Commerce Department to develop the plan on behalf of Montana's tourism and recreation industry. The Montana Tourism and Recreation Initiative (MTRI), a multi-agency cooperative involving 18 state and federal agencies that have tourism and recreation programs within their operations, was a co-sponsor of the planning process. Some of the key objectives of the Plan: Tourism is Montana's second largest industry. Montana hosted 9.5 million nonresidents in 2001. These visitors spent $1.7 billion during their stay. The strategic plan document is available electronically on Travel Montana's Internet site: www.travelmontana.state.mt.us. The Montana Department of Commerce Promotion Division's tourism promotion and development efforts, statewide, are financed by the 4 percent lodging tax. These efforts have not used General Fund dollars since 1987. ###
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