Letter to the editor: Tourism is an economic engine in Southwest Montana

At Visit Southwest Montana, we strategically market the region — from Lima in the south to Augusta in the north encompassing the communities of Butte, Ennis, Philipsburg, Helena, Anaconda and many places in between — as a tourist destination.

Visitors come to and through our region for a variety of reasons. Located between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, Southwest Montana is an ideal destination for visitors looking for scenic beauty, road trips and outdoor adventures. Travelers stop in our urban and rural communities, spending money in our local businesses and supporting accommodations, transportation, retail stores, restaurants, fuel/gas stations and attractions.

We had many communities share that they saw an extended tourism season, with increases in spending and international travelers during our shoulder seasons of May and September, while Montanans stayed closer to home as well.

As we reflect on a long summer season, we want to extend our thank you to residents and communities in Southwest Montana. You're each a part of what makes this place so special. On behalf of the region, local businesses and more, thank you for doing your part to make our visitors feel welcome.

Sarah Bannon,

executive director, Visit Southwest Montana