International visitor spending in Kalispell declined significantly in 2025, reflecting a sharp drop across the country in overseas inbound travel, according to the city's tourism bureau.  

Discover Kalispell reviewed visitation trends from the past year and outlined challenges forecasted for 2026 during its annual report to local businesses Wednesday afternoon at the Northwest Montana History Museum.  

International visitation to the U.S. had been expected to return to pre-pandemic levels, but the Trump administration’s “America First” policies — including widespread tariffs and new visa hurdles — helped hinder overseas arrivals.  

Kalispell saw a sharp drop in spending from what is traditionally its strongest foreign customers, experiencing a 36% year-to-date decline in Canadian credit card spending through November 2025. Overall international spending totaled $12 million, a 31% drop year-over-year.  

Credit card spending by foreign visitors fell across all categories. Lodging decreased by 48% and restaurant spending by 32%, according to the report.  

In an effort to lure Montana’s northern neighbors back, Discover Kalispell launched its Canadian Welcome Pass last year. The promotion offers Canadians exclusive discounts from participating businesses.  

DESPITE THE economic and political headwinds that tested the tourism industry, Kalispell’s domestic visitation stood strong in 2025, with credit card spending rising by 3.5% to $226 million.  

The city’s top customers came from Missoula, Butte, Bozeman and Helena but also from Washington, California, Oregon and Idaho.  

Hotel occupancy remained flat at about 55% while a slight increase in average daily rates helped drive a 3.1% gain in lodging revenue, according to the report. Short-term rentals saw incremental growth in available listings, and average daily rates increased by 2.6%.  

Above-average snowfall during the winter of 2024-25 brought in a record number of skiers that redeemed Discover Kalispell’s promotion for travelers who book two nights in a Kalispell hotel and receive two free adult lift tickets to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.  

Discover Kalispell has been aiming to position the city as a premier sporting destination, awarding $182 million in financial assistance over 2025 to help support and expand local sports and community events, said Ben Gould, group sales manager for the organization.  

The Montana Spartan Race is returning to the Flathead Valley in May after a two-year hiatus and is expected to boost tourism during the city’s off-season.   

LOOKING TO the skies, Glacier Park International Airport recorded an 11.6% increase in passenger traffic in 2025. 

But Discover Kalispell is preparing for the airport's runway overhaul this summer. The project will significantly limit operations during its busiest month of the year. The transit hub will be closed from 6 p.m. on Mondays through noon on Fridays between July 6 and July 31.  

The closure is expected to discourage visits to Glacier National Park that month, so the tourism agency is devising alternatives for travelers trying to reach The Crown of the Continent.  

Discover Kalispell must also navigate the U.S. Department of the Interior’s plan to increase fees for international visitors and the park’s new vehicle management system, which are expected to discourage international tourism. 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].