Idaho Travel Council doles out room tax grants

Regional tourism marketers will have about $4.5 million in Idaho Travel Council grants to promote their areas next year.

The Idaho Travel Council awarded marketing grants during its summer meeting in Lava Hot Springs this week. The funding helps with print and digital advertising, brochures, attendance at travel shows, public relations, direct mail, industry research and the creation of web sites.

In eastern Idaho’s Region Five, the Pocatello Convention and Visitors Bureau received $141,018, Pioneer Country Travel Council got $113,750 and the Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau was awarded $43,000.

In Region Six, Yellowstone Teton Territory will receive $321,515 for tourism promotion next year. The Snake River Territory Convention and Visitors Bureau will receive $180,000 and the Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce got $60,000.

Tourism is a $4 billion industry in Idaho. Tourism development activities are funded by a 2 percent room tax paid by hotels, motels, and private campground owners. 45 percent of the funds are used for statewide programs targeted at international and domestic consumers. Another 45 percent is distributed back to communities through the grant program and 10 percent is used for administration of the division.

Last year, Idaho’s lodging tax collected $9,976,722, an increase of 13.41 percent over Fiscal Year 2015.