Tribal Tourism Montana
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Tribal Tourism Grant (TTG)
Thank you for your interest in the Tribal Tourism Grant. The FY 2024 application cycle will open October 1, 2023 and close November 30, 2023. Links to the grant application and guidelines will be made available by September 30, 2023. Please check the Office of Indian Country Economic Development website for other funding opportunities. This year’s grant cycle budget is around $120,000 (to be determined), with a maximum award amount of $50,000 to tribal governments of Montana for eligible tourism projects, and a 50% matching requirement.
This website is a resource for the development and promotion of the Indian Tourism Region in Montana, established by Senate Bill 309 of the 65th Montana Legislature in 2017.
The Indian Tourism Region includes all reservations in Montana as well as other locations significant to tribes with a modern or historical connection to Montana.
Tribal Tourism Funding
Senate Bill 309 allocates 0.5 percent of Montana’s Lodging Facility Use Tax collections to develop and promote the Indian Tourism Region. Promotions include paid media (advertising), earned media (hosting journalists and photographers to visit Indian Country and produce editorial content), and owned media (VISITMT.COM).
Additionally, the Montana Department of Commerce funds a full-time Tribal Tourism Officer and various programs for which tribal governments and tribal tourism may be eligible to apply (see TRIBAL TOURISM RESOURCES tab).
The Economic Impact of Tourism
Tourism is one of Montana’s leading industries. According to estimates by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana, 12.5 million visitors added over $5 billion to the state’s economy in 2021. And the impact isn’t only limited to hotels and car rentals — it includes businesses of all kinds, such as artisan entrepreneurs featured at Made in Montana, Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana (to learn more please visit MADEINMONTANAUSA.COM).
According to research commissioned by Commerce in 2019, 82 percent of leisure travelers expressed an interest in exploring sites and experiences related to Indigenous culture and history.
Financial & Technical Assistance
- The Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation (GovCon) is the premier annual event for Montana’s tourism and recreation industry. Please note there is a fee to attend.
- Native American Made in Montana is for producers of products for sale. Native American Made in Montana is a free program in which members receive the ability to use a branded label and a website listing. Members may be eligible to apply for a sponsorship to exhibit at the annual Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food and Gifts.
- Tribal Tourism Grant Programs (TTG/TTEG) - Available to tribal governments, this reimbursement grant program helps tourism-related projects such as arts, culture and heritage preservation, visitor facility upgrades and construction, and niche product development.
Fiscal Year 2023 TTG Guidelines
Apply for TTG here.
Consumer Marketing
- Indian Country Guidebook - Developed by the Office of Indian Country Economic Development BUSINESS MT at the Montana Department of Commerce in partnership with BRAND MT, and in association with the tribes in Montana. Limited quantities of hard copies have been distributed across the state, while a digital download is available at VISITMT.COM.
- Indian Country at VISITMT.COM – The state’s official travel website receives nearly four million visits per year.
- Click here for instructions to claim your VISITMT.COM business listing.
Research
- “Interest in Native American Tourism Assets” (Destination Analysts) - Available to Montana tourism organizations by request
- “Montana Destination Brand Research Study” (Destination Analysts) - Available to Montana tourism organizations by request
- Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research
Additional Resources
- “Linking Communities, Tourism & Conservation: A Tourism Assessment Process” (George Washington University)
- "National Guidelines: Indigenous Cultural Experiences" (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada)
- “Resources for the Recreation Economy” and Q & A from the webinar (American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association)
In addition to the Indian Tourism Region, Montana is organized into six geographic tourism regions, each of which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting its area — including Indian Country. By working together, tribal communities and tourism regions may maximize their impact.
The following tourism regions include reservations:
The OICED Tribal Tourism Grant Programs are exclusively for the Tribal Governments in Montana. For those Tribal Council staff authorized to submit requests for reimbursement of eligible grant project expenses, please complete all three (3) forms below, including all receipts and invoice, and email them to DocTribal@mt.gov or Rachelle.Brown@mt.gov. Please call 406.841.2734 if you have any questions.
Note: Incomplete forms, missing receipts, or expenses incurred outside the scope of the contractual terms of the grant award will either be denied, not processed, or will delay the reimbursement of funds.
Request for Reimbursement Form ICED TTG TTEG
TTG TTEG Portfolio Status Update Report
TTG TTEG Receipts Reimburse Worksheet
