James Wilton Assistant Director

Jim Wilton, Assistant Director and Economist for the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research for the past 4 years, passed away on March 26, 2006. Jim was responsible for the tourism economic impact model and visitation models, conducted the Community Tourism Assessment Process each fall, and cooperated with each project the Institute conducted. He made each work day a pleasure!

Jim obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at Eastern Oregon University, his Master of Science through Oregon State University, and was pursuing his doctorate degree at the University of Montana. He leaves Heidi his wife of 13 ½ years, and his 2-year old daughter, Amanda. Jim was the finest colleague whom one could ever have the opportunity to work. He leaves emptiness in our hearts and will be truly missed.

Education:

Ph.D. in Forestry – Emphasis in Natural Resource Economics (in progress). Dissertation research area (intended): The economic impacts of nature-based recreation. Committee chair: Dr. Tyron Venn. The University of Montana.

M.S. in Environmental Science – Emphasis in Social Science. Thesis: Public perspectives on forest ecosystem health: Knowledge, opinions, and preferences from urban and rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Graduate Advisor: Dr. Bruce Shindler. Oregon State University, 2002.

B.S. in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics. Eastern Oregon University, 1997.

Research Interests:

One of my research interests focuses on the linkages between community and economic development. As a former community development worker for the U.S. Peace Corps, I was able to observe how locally developed objectives often directly led to economic development. I am also interested in the relationship between tourism and recreation activities and their environmental impacts.

Recent Publications:

Wilton, James and Norma P. Nickerson. 2005. American Indian Support for Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Two Tribes. In Proceedings of the 2005 Travel and Tourism Research Association 36th Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA: Travel and Tourism Research Association. pp. 105-113.

Nickerson, N., J. Wilton, and M. Dubois. 2005. Another Slow Year for Montana Tourism. Montana Business Quarterly 43:1.

Wilton, J. 2005. Rocky Boy Residents on Local Tourism Development: Attitudes and Opinions from Montana’s Chippewa-Cree. (Rocky Boy Reservation, MT.) Research Report 2005-1. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Wilton, J. 2005. Wheatland County Resident Attitudes: Exploring Local Tourism Development Potential. Research Report 2005-2. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Wilton, James. 2004. The Economic Review of the Travel Industry in Montana. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Nickerson, N. and J. Wilton. 2004. Travel Industry Outlook and Economics. Montana Business Quarterly 42:1.

Wilton, J. 2004. Crow Country Resident Attitudes: Exploring Tourism Development Potential. (Crow Reservation, MT.) Research Report 2004-3. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Wilton, J. 2004. Cascade County Resident Attitudes: Exploring Tourism Development Potential. Research Report 2004-2. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Wilton, J. 2004. Wibaux County Resident Attitudes: Exploring Tourism Development Potential. Research Report 2004-1. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Nickerson, N. and J. Wilton. 2004. Montana Travel Industry Outlook and Economics. Montana Travel Research 9:1. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Wilton, J., N. Nickerson and M. Dubois. 2003. Montana’s Nonresident Travel Industry—The Economic Package. Montana Vision 8:3. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana: Missoula, MT.

Wilton, J. and T. Dillon. 2003. St. Ignatius, MT Resident Attitudes: Exploring Tourism Development Potential. Community Tourism Assessment Program (CTAP) Research Report 2003-4. Missoula, MT: Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana.

Dillon, T. and J. Wilton. 2003. Sanders County, MT Resident Attitudes: Exploring Tourism Development Potential. Community Tourism Assessment Program (CTAP) Research Report 2003-3. Missoula, MT: Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, The University of Montana.

Shindler, B., J. Wilton and A. Wright. 2002. A Social Assessment of Ecosystem Health: Public Perceptions of Federal Forest Conditions in Oregon and Washington. Research Report. Corvallis, OR: Dept. of Forest Resources, Oregon State University.

Conference Presentations:

Wilton, James and Norma P. Nickerson. 2005. American Indian Support for Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Two Tribes. The Three Rs: Research, Results, Rewards—The Travel and Tourism Research Association 36th Annual Conference. June 12-15, 2005. New Orleans, LA.

Wilton, James. 2005. Montana Travel and Tourism: Trends, Outlook, Resident Attitudes and New Research. Celebrating the Montana Experience: 2005 Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation. March 20-22, 2005. Helena, MT.

Wilton, J. 2005. Another Slow Year for Montana’s Tourism. The 30th Annual Economic Outlook Seminar. March 8-9, 2005. Sidney and Miles City, MT.

Nickerson, N. and J. Wilton. 2004. Montana Tourism Research—Current Visitor Information and How It Can Be Useful. Play it Again Montana—2004 Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation. April 4-6, 2004. Billings, MT.

Nickerson, N. and J. Wilton. 2004. Economic Impact Communication and Measurement Programs—The Case of Montana. Measuring and Communicating Economic Impact—GWTTRA Professional Development Seminar. February 19-21, 2004. Phoenix, AZ.