Idaho Travel Council Announces Annual Grant Awards -- Over $3.2 Million Awarded for Tourism Promotion

8/3/2012
Boise, Idaho—At its annual summer meeting held in Victor this week, the Idaho Travel Council (ITC) granted more than $3.2 million in tourism marketing funding to non-profit organizations through the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program.  

Eligible award recipients include non-profit local and regional tourism development organizations such as chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus. The organizations use their awarded grant dollars to promote cities, towns and regions of the state as tourist destinations. Program elements are varied, but often include print and electronic advertising, brochures, travel shows, public relations, direct mail, industry research and the creation of Web sites.  

"This is a remarkable program which leverages creative ideas and the 2% lodging tax revenues into marketing dollars for the communities of Idaho. My compliments to the Idaho Travel Council for their diligence in reviewing and awarding these funds that are vital for statewide economic sustainability and growth" said Karen Ballard, Administrator for the Idaho Department of Commerce Division of Tourism Development.  

Tourism is a more than $3 billion dollar industry in Idaho, and building Idaho’s economy by increasing visitor expenditures throughout the state is the goal of the Idaho Travel Council and the Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism Development. The division's activities are funded by a two-percent lodging tax, paid by travelers and collected by the state's hotel, motel and private campground owners. Forty-five percent of the funds are used for statewide programs targeted to international and domestic consumers, tour operators, travel agents, travel journalists, and film industry marketing. Another forty-five percent is distributed back to communities through the grant program. The remaining ten percent is used for administration of the division.

Total lodging tax collections for fiscal year 2012 were $7,069,301.

For a complete list of award recipients, click here. For a history of the grant awards, click here and open the “History of Grant Awards” document.  For a complete list of ITC Members, click here.

Contact: Laurie McConnell, 208-334-2470 X2144, laurie.mcconnell@tourism.idaho.gov

News tag(s): Business Communities International Travel