Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Tourism intensities in Flathead County are predictable to continue unevenly this year as well, with rising prices and altering traveler outlooks thereby creating obstacles in swift growth witnessed during the pandemic, opined the native tourism trade specialists.
Julie Mullins, the executive director of Explore Whitefish said that the pandemic shaped a bubble around the national parks and people desired to venture outside.
Mullins spoke about year-over-year reservations at local hotels and temporary rental establishments with
signals that visitation boom has reduced. Whitefish hotel reservations dropped 10% to 15% compared to
last year during this time. Units listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo dropped around 20%.
Northwest Montana witnessed a lot of growth in air traffic and visits to Glacier National Park during the
pandemic. With big cities and global destinations open yet again, tourism segment representatives said that travelers are no longer engrossed in the Flathead Valley’s extensive open spaces.
Diane Medler, the chief of visitors’ bureau Discover Kalispell agreed to the same.
Medler said that they were an appealing destination when they were eyeing wide-open places. Having a
national park sparks curiosity in their area and will retain visits concretely. Hotel residency endures to be
beyond 2019 for the maximum part and they don’t expect that to change.
Tourists also appear less motivated to take flights, said Medler.
Tags: Flathead County, Tourism
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