Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Kara Grau is Assistant Director of Economic Analysis at the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR), at The University of Montana. Ms. Grau works mainly with primary data collected from nonresident travelers in Montana with the goal of providing information to the public about the state’s tourism industry.

Norma P. Nickerson, Ph.D., is a Research Professor and Director of the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR), at The University of Montana. Dr. Nickerson and ITRR are responsible for Montana’s travel research including the economic impact of tourism, visitor characteristics, market segmentations, and niche studies related to tourism.

Abstract (150 Words)

The Importance of Traveler Spending on Locally Produced Goods & Services

Abstract

An evaluation of visitor spending on locally produced products and services was conducted to assist in the analysis of economic impact contributed by nonresidents to the state of Montana. Many economic impact analyses depend on visitor spending data, which is usually collected as primary data and segregated into generic expenditure categories. The purpose of this study was to expand the retail and services categories to explore spending on locally made products and services. Results showed that visitors who do purchase local products and services spend significantly more in every spending category except one, and are a distinct group from those who do not purchase locally made products and services.

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Significance of Visitor Spending on Locally Produced Goods & Services

The Importance of Traveler Spending on Locally Produced Goods & Services

Abstract

An evaluation of visitor spending on locally produced products and services was conducted to assist in the analysis of economic impact contributed by nonresidents to the state of Montana. Many economic impact analyses depend on visitor spending data, which is usually collected as primary data and segregated into generic expenditure categories. The purpose of this study was to expand the retail and services categories to explore spending on locally made products and services. Results showed that visitors who do purchase local products and services spend significantly more in every spending category except one, and are a distinct group from those who do not purchase locally made products and services.