FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Andrew Peterson
406.995.3000
[email protected]
Big Sky Outperforms Montana and Nations Tourism Growth
Big Sky, Mont. (Sep 23rd, 2014) – Big Sky is The little town that’s next to everything© for a summer and
winter vacation in Montana and vacationers are discovering the destination in record numbers. The
community has been outpacing the state of Montana and even the Nations’ tourism industry in terms of
percentage growth (see attachment).
Big Sky’s economic health depends on seasonal visitation from domestic and international travelers. The
impact of visitation can be tracked by analyzing state Lodging Tax collections, which provide indications
of boom and bust economic outlooks in the state. During the last three years Big Sky has consistently
experienced a higher percentage increase in Lodging Tax collections than the average Montana
destination, as well as the Nation.
The state of Montana levies a 7 percent Lodging Facility Use Tax and a percentage of collections are
redistributed to various tourism related entities annually. Visit Big Sky, a non-profit organization
dedicated to increasing visitation to Big Sky utilizes lodging funds and local Resort Tax appropriations to
strategically advertise on a national level. “The Big Sky Resort Tax is making an investment in the future
of the community by supporting our destination development programs that increase length of stay and
spending in the community,” said David O’Connor, President of the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and
co-owner of Buck’s T-4 Lodge.
In the summer of 2013, Visit Big Sky contracted Fuseideas, an AAAA advertising agency headquartered in
Boston, MA. Fuseideas was tasked to provide our community with a comprehensive strategy and
recommendation to maximize market penetration. “Fuseideas has risen to the occasion in developing an
advanced advertising approach for Big Sky,” said Catherine Gilb, President of Visit Big Sky and Marketing
Director of Vacation Big Sky. “Maintaining a consistent awareness and brand messaging will solidify Big
Sky as a staple in world travel destinations.”
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55 Lone Mountain Trail | P.O. Box 160100, Big Sky, MT 59716 | www.visitbigskymt.com | 406.995.3000
Big Sky Outperforms Add 1-1-1
Annual Percentage Change in Lodging
Collections
25%
Nation
Montana
Percentage
20%
Big Sky
15%
10%
5%
0%
2012
2013
2014
Annual Lodging Tax Collections
Quarterly Percentage Change in Lodging
Collections
60%
Q1 2012
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1 2013
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1 2014
Q2
Percentage
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
Montana
Big Sky
Quarterly Lodging Tax Collections
*National Data Collected from American Hotel & Lodging Association
*Montana Data Collected from Montana Department of Commerce
55 Lone Mountain Trail | P.O. Box 160100, Big Sky, MT 59716 | www.visitbigskymt.com | 406.995.3000