NEWS RELEASE:  For Immediate Release

Contact: Laurie McConnell
Idaho Tourism
208.287.0781
laurie.mcconnell@tourism.idaho.gov

Idaho Travel Council Announces Annual Grant Awards

Over $5 Million Awarded for Tourism Promotion

BOISE, Idaho—August 9, 2017—During its meeting held in McCall this week, the Idaho Travel Council (ITC) granted over $5 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 digital advertising, brochures, attendance at travel shows, public relations, direct mail, industry research, and the creation of web sites.

“Growing Idaho’s economy by attracting business and leisure travelers throughout the state is the goal of the Idaho Tourism and the Idaho Travel Council,” said Idaho Commerce Director Megan Ronk.  “We are thrilled to be able to put so much money back into the communities to help with their local marketing efforts.  Every marketing dollar helps spread the word that Idaho is a great destination for recreation.”

Grant award recipients are:

Applicant  Amount Awarded
REGION 1  
Coeur d’Alene Convention & Visitors Bureau  $      580,000
Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce  $      160,000
North Idaho Tourism Alliance (NITA)  $      106,000
Post Falls Chamber of Commerce  $        74,500
REGION 2
Hells Canyon VB dba Visit Lewis Clark Valley  $        80,000
Kamiah Chamber of Commerce  $        47,750
Moscow Chamber of Commerce  $        70,000
North Central Idaho Travel Assoc (NCITA)  $        20,000
Orofino Chamber of Commerce  $        16,000
Salmon River Chamber of Commerce  $        36,000
REGION 3
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce  $      926,500
Cascade Chamber of Commerce  $        72,951
McCall Area Chamber of Commerce  $      290,770
Nampa Chamber of Commerce  $        79,000
Southwest Idaho Travel Assoc (SWITA)  $      475,000
REGION 4
Southern Idaho Tourism (SIT)  $      353,102
REGION 5
Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)  $        42,000
Southeast Idaho High Country Tourism  $      141,500
Pocatello Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)  $      175,592
REGION 6
Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce  $      207,000
Teton Regional Economic Coalition  $        66,000
Yellowstone Teton Territory (YTT)  $      377,682
REGION 7
Hailey Chamber of Commerce  $        65,503
Lemhi County Economic Development Assoc  $        24,000
Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce  $        50,606
Sun Valley Marketing Alliance Inc  $      294,612
MULTI REGION
Idaho Bed & Breakfast Assoc (IBBA)  $        18,000
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Assoc (IOGA)  $        84,881
Idaho RV Campgrounds Assoc (IRVCA)  $        96,558
Idaho Ski Areas Assoc (ISAA)  $        68,050
TOTAL ITC GRANT AWARDS  $    5,099,557

Tourism is a more than $3 billion dollar industry in Idaho.  Idaho Department of Commerce – Tourism Development activities are funded by a two-percent tax, paid by travelers and collected by the state’s hotel, motel, vacation rental 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, and travel journalists.  Another forty-five percent is distributed back to communities through the grant program. The remaining ten percent is used for administration of the Tourism Development division.

Total lodging tax collections for Fiscal Year 2017 were $11,215,851, an increase of 12.42 percent over the previous year.

For a history of the grant awards, click here.

For a complete list of Idaho Travel Council members, click here.

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Posted in Communities, Travel