by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:03 PM ET, Tue May 1, 2018
Tourism in Wyoming and Montana is hitting record levels.
In Wyoming, tourists spent more than $3.5 billion last year, according to the Associated Press. That figure is 8.9 percent higher than 2016.
Tourism officials say 2017's total eclipse, which passed over the state, likely played a role in the higher visitor numbers. About $63.5 million was spent over the course of a five-day period during eclipse events.
An independent analysis of travel to the state also showed an increase in the number of full- and part-time jobs tied to the tourism, travel and hospitality industry, according to the Associated Press. The report showed that Wyoming attracted 8.7 million overnight visitors last year and the travel, tourism and hospitality industry directly supported more than 32,000 jobs in the state.
Meanwhile, in Montana, a separate report showed a record number of travelers passing through the state in 2017.
That report, from the University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, revealed that 12,475,000 visitors spent an average of 4.7 nights in hotels, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals in the state.
All of those visitors translated into $30.7 million in lodging tax revenue for the state, according to the report. That's a five percent increase from one year earlier.
That money was channeled back into promotions conducted by Montana Department of Tourism and Business Development, according to Associated Press. The state spends about $12 million each year on tourism-related items.
In total, visitors spent about $3.36 billion in Montana, in 2017, supporting 53,000 jobs.
Among the most popular attractions in the region, is Yellowstone National Park, which straddles both Wyoming and Montana.
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