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 $5.5 Million Awarded for Tourism Promotion

BOISE, Idaho—July 27, 2018—During its meeting held in Wallace this week, the Idaho Travel Council (ITC) granted $5,590,819 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, videography, brochures, attendance at travel shows, public relations, direct mail, industry research, and the creation of websites.

“Idaho’s economy continues to be impacted positively by the travel and tourism industry,” said Idaho Commerce Director Bobbi-Jo Meuleman. “We are tremendously proud of the statewide tourism marketing efforts and the work of the grant program to influence travel to the incredible destinations across Idaho. Idaho Tourism is continuing to grow at unprecedented levels which benefits businesses and communities in all corners of our beautiful state.”

This year’s grant award recipients are:

Applicant  Amount Awarded
REGION 1  
Coeur d’Alene Convention & Visitors Bureau  $       638,000
Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce  $       180,000
North Idaho Tourism Alliance (NITA)  $       107,000
Post Falls Chamber of Commerce  $         75,000
REGION 2  
Hells Canyon VB dba Visit Lewis Clark Valley  $         96,000
Moscow Chamber of Commerce  $         91,000
North Central Idaho Travel Assoc. (NCITA)  $         80,000
REGION 3  
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce  $    1,037,685
Cascade Chamber of Commerce  $         76,600
McCall Area Chamber of Commerce  $       305,308
Nampa Chamber of Commerce  $         82,350
Southwest Idaho Travel Assoc. (SWITA)  $       525,605
REGION 4  
Southern Idaho Tourism (SIT)  $       377,750
REGION 5  
Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)  $         44,000
Southeast Idaho High Country Tourism  $       128,397
Pocatello Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)  $       160,500
REGION 6  
Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce  $       241,065
Teton Regional Economic Coalition  $       110,000
Yellowstone Teton Territory (YTT)  $       410,000
REGION 7  
Hailey Chamber of Commerce  $         88,250
Lemhi County Economic Development Assoc.  $         26,000
Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce  $         76,994
Sun Valley Marketing Alliance Inc.  $       339,000
MULTI REGION  
Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Assoc. (ILRA)  $         35,576
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Assoc. (IOGA)  $         95,264
Idaho RV Campgrounds Assoc. (IRVCA)  $         92,855
Idaho Ski Areas Assoc. (ISAA)  $         70,620
TOTAL 2018 ITC GRANT AWARDS  $    5,590,819

Tourism is a more than $4 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 2018 reached $12.4 million, an increase of 11.22 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.

Posted in Communities, Travel