Local tourist attractions see good business during summer 2012

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer, and what a summer it’s been in eastern Idaho.

Amid an economic recovery and record heat, people who are in the business of summer say they’ve done quite well this year.

Tourist attractions in eastern Idaho filled up fast with plenty of last-minute summer fun-seekers.

“I don’t like that summer’s over,” said Sierra, 9, who was visiting Riot Zone in Ribby with her family.

The last putts were putted, and the last pictures were taken before most attractions closed for the fall and winter.

“That’s one of the sad things about Idaho, is that summer is so short,” said Ryan Lilly, a manager at Riot Zone.

It’s not all sad news. When we visited Riot Zone on Memorial Day, the park’s owners said they were expecting a good summer for business.

Aside from record heat, Lilly said business was good.

“July kind of took it to us because the weather wasn’t as cool as we would have liked,” Lilly said. “I (still) think there might have been a slight increase (in business) this year.”

Yellowstone Bear World also reported an increase in business this year.

Courtney Ferguson, who owns Bear World, sits on the Idaho Tourism Board. He can say with confidence that the entire industry did well.

“The tourism industry in eastern Idaho is continuing to get stronger and stronger all the time,” Ferguson said. “There’s more attractions, more lodging opportunities, and just in general new things for the tourists.”

While some attractions will sadly have to close their gates, others will just have plenty of new things to offer guests as the weather gets cooler.

Lilly said that Riot Zone’s corn maze serves as their main fall attraction.

The Riot Zone will still be open Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween.

Bear World will be open until Oct. 14, but they’ll be closing an hour earlier at 5 p.m.