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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