$3.6 Billion Found in Montana: Tourists Blamed

Gov. Steve Bullock's office says more tourists visited and spent money in Montana last year than ever before.

The governor's office cited data Tuesday from the University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research.

About 11 million people visited the state in 2013, spending more than $3.6 billion.

That is compared to 10.8 million visitors who spent $3.27 billion in 2012. That also was a record year for tourism in the state.

The governor's office says the tourism industry directly employs 44,000 people in Montana.

MORE>>>Billings Gazette