TourismThursday, November 12
Billings drew a record 2.8 million visitors who spent $703 million
The Good Day Billings team
If you've spotted more out-of-towners lately, it's not your imagination. A Visit Billings survey counted 2.8 million visitors from August 2025 to July 2026, up from 2.6 million in the previous survey. They spent $703 million, up from $620 million, and Future Partners puts the total economic impact at $1.3 billion.
- Jobs supported by the visitor industry: 10,043
- Taxes for Billings governments: $25.5 million
- Visitor industry payroll: $352.9 million
- Day trips: almost 60% of all visits
Restaurants led the spending at $188.5 million, ahead of retail at $184.9 million and lodging at $166.2 million.
Restaurants took the biggest share of visitor spending
Sources: KTVQ, AM 1450 KMMS
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | $188.5 million |
| Retail | $184.9 million |
| Lodging | $166.2 million |
Visit Billings executive director Aly Eggart expects 3 million tourists in the next year. “Sports tourism will be huge for Billings over the next three to five years,” said Steve Wahrlich, who owns the Clock Tower Inn. And 94.4% of surveyed visitors said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their stay.
Nearly all surveyed visitors were happy with Billings
94.4%Surveyed visitors satisfied or very satisfied
Sources: KTVQ, AM 1450 KMMS
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Surveyed visitors satisfied or very satisfied | 94.4% |
Sources: KTVQ, AM 1450 KMMS