Idaho Division of Tourism (Travel)

Building Idaho’s economy by increasing visitor expenditures throughout the state is the goal of Idaho Department of Commerce's Tourism Development Division. 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. Tax collections have grown to over $7 million annually.

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 to non-profit local and regional tourism development organizations through the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program. The remaining ten percent is used for administration of the division.

Private-sector oversight is provided by the Idaho Travel Council, an eight-member, private sector advisory board appointed by the governor. According to an economic impact study commissioned in 2004, Idaho's $2.97 billion tourism industry created jobs for Idahoans and generated $438 million in local, state and federal tax revenues.