Western Montana's Glacier Country serves the people who call this region home. While we're known for destination marketing, our role has evolved. Today, we work as a partner to more than 75 communities across our eight-county region—listening to residents, sharing resources and advocating for Western Montanans in tourism-related decisions.
This work is guided by the region's Destination Stewardship Plan—a 10-year action plan developed with communities across Glacier Country. It reflects what we heard: tourism should enhance quality of life, residents deserve a voice in how the visitor economy grows, and the benefits should reach every corner of the region.
Local Presence: Glacier Country maintains direct connections to the communities we serve—attending local meetings, connecting with civic leaders and helping communities access resources that support their goals. We prioritize listening and understanding local priorities before offering solutions.
Community Forums: We host opportunities for residents, businesses and local leaders to engage with Glacier Country through live events and listening sessions. These forums provide two-way communication between industry stakeholders and the people who live here.
Digital Engagement: Our community engagement platform, engage.glaciermt.com, offers a space for ongoing conversation where residents can share feedback, participate in surveys and stay informed about tourism planning efforts.
Advocacy: We advocate at state and federal levels on issues that impact gateway communities and rural towns, including supporting funding mechanisms like the resort tax and making the case for infrastructure investments that serve both residents and visitors.
Data Sharing: We gather and share data about the visitor economy—visitation trends, short-term rental impacts, spending patterns—so communities can make informed decisions.
Grant Programs: Glacier Country offers grant programs to help communities and nonprofit tourism organizations promote events, develop marketing projects and enhance visitor services throughout the region.
Educational Outreach: We develop programs that help residents understand tourism's role as an economic driver and how it creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Ambassador Programs: We're building a Glacier Country Ambassador program to equip visitor-facing workers and residents with the knowledge and resources to support responsible tourism.
Community engagement is how we operate—not a single initiative. We're committed to building trust through consistent presence, honest communication and follow-through. Our goal is to be a trusted partner to every community in Glacier Country, ensuring the visitor economy works for everyone who calls Western Montana home.