Targeting Tourism in Helena

When it comes to developing Helena’s tourism economy over the next several years, there are several directions the city can turn.

Perhaps best known is Helena’s reputation as one of the best small cities for the arts in the U.S. But there’s also a growing undercurrent of support for making Helena a world-class bicycling destination. And while state government itself doesn’t bring many vacationers, the possibility of a new museum for the Montana Historical Society and a wildlife center run by Fish, Wildlife & Parks at Spring Meadow Lake give the public sector a chance to get involved.

All these ideas and more have been discussed over the last nine months. Helena was one of three communities that spent that time completing the Community Tourism Assessment Program, administered by the Department of Commerce’s Promotion Division, the MSU Extension and the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Resource at the University of Montana.

A committee consisting of a cross-section of professionals from around town identified seven projects or areas to focus on going forward, as Helena tries to further develop its tourism economy.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

Full Story: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/07/10/business/e01071005_01.txt