CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for travel agencies in Montana
44 travel agencies operated in Montana in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 44CBP 2023
- Employees
- 248mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.9U.S. 2.7
- State rank
- 36th of 51by count
Travel agencies in Montana by the numbers
The Census Bureau counted 44 travel agencies in Montana in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 561510). They employed 248 people in mid-March and reported $14.4 million in annual payroll. That is the 36th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Travel agencies make up 0.10% of the 42,566 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Montana has 3.9 travel agencies, 41.4% above the national rate of 2.7. The average establishment has 5.6 employees against 8.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $58,004, 40.7% below the U.S. figure of $97,789.
| Measure | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 44 | 9,308 |
| Mid-March employees | 248 | 82,899 |
| Annual payroll | $14,385,000 | $8,106,618,000 (moderate noise) |
| Employees per establishment | 5.6 | 8.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $58,004 | $97,789 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.9 | 2.7 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Montana's largest markets for travel agencies
Census published travel agency counts for 4 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Montana. The largest is Bozeman, MT, with 8 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 52% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 8 | 96 | 6.3 |
| Kalispell, MT | 6 | — | 5.2 |
| Billings, MT | 5 | — | 2.6 |
| Missoula, MT | 4 | 10 | 3.1 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at travel agencies in Montana
82.9% of Montana's travel agencies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 79.3% nationally. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 34 | 82.9% | 79.3% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 11.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 4 | 9.8% | 4.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What travel agencies in Montana use the phone for
Travel agents plan trips by phone and help travelers when plans go wrong. Reachability during disruptions builds loyalty.
Calls a travel agency in Montana might handle in a typical week include:
- A group organizer calls about a tour.
- A couple calls to plan a honeymoon.
- A supplier calls about a booking.
What travel agencies text about
Agents text itineraries and travel reminders.
Texting from a local number in Montana requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for travel agencies in Montana
Travel agencies in Montana average 5.6 employees, so the comparison uses a 6-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 6 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $180.00 a month and 6 on Ooma Office Pro cost $149.70. Callata comes to $119.00 a month for 6 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $732 less than RingCentral for a travel agency in Montana of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $119.00 | $1,428.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $114.00 | $1,368.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $138.00 | $1,656.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $149.70 | $1,796.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $162.00 | $1,944.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $180.00 | $2,160.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Montana
Montana has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a travel agency can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 406 | 754 | Mountain | 1947 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for travel agencies in Montana
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Montana is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many travel agencies are in Montana?
44 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 248 people in mid-March.
Which Montana metro area has the most travel agencies?
Bozeman, MT, with 8 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 6-person travel agency?
$180.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $149.70 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $119.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Montana number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.