MISSOULA – A new report by the University of Montana shows tourism spending continues to pump billions of dollars into the state’s economy.

While that economic impact reaches every corner of the Treasure State, the Glacier region continues to lead the way.

The findings are contained in the latest report by the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research.

The new numbers use an average for the average amount of money non-residents were spending visiting Montana both last year and this year.

That estimate pegs non-resident tourism spending at a whopping $3.24 billion, which is an increase of 2.6% over the previous year.

The report shows that, while the spending is widespread, Glacier Country leads the way, accounting for a third of all spending at more than $1 billion, supporting $1.3 billion in economic activity and more than 17,000 jobs for the Glacier region.

The area is centered around Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness — including the Flathead and Northwest Montana, the Rocky Mountain Front and west-central Montana as far south as the Bitterroot.

Yellowstone Country, in south-central Montana, captured over $900 million of total spending, with the remaining 38& spread across the remainder of Montana.

Broken down by county, Gallatin County received the most non-resident visitor spending, followed by Flathead, Missoula and Yellowstone counties.

Click here to read the report.