What Tourism Means to Idaho's Economy

Background

Justin Marty / Flickr

Bogus Basin Ski Area near Boise, Idaho

This page is no longer being updated. For ongoing coverage of this topic, go to Boise State Public Radio’s website.

Idaho’s tourism industry makes up about five percent of the state’s total business revenues. The U.S. Travel Association says tourism employs more than 26,000 Idahoans. It generated nearly $500 million in local, state and federal tax revenues in 2008. But over the last five years, the industry reported record losses. According to the Idaho Department of Labor, tourism lost about 10 percent of its jobs between 2007 and 2010.

“The recession victimized Idaho’s tourism industry, slashing revenues and the tourism taxes they produce by 12 percent in 2009 from 2008’s record receipts of $407.6 million. It was the lowest total since 2005.” – Idaho Department of Labor

The Idaho Business Review reported in 2011 that a quarter of all tourism employment is at restaurants and bars which have taken a hit by the economic downturn. Another 20 percent of tourism jobs are in hospitality, including hotels, campgrounds and RV parks.

Latest Posts

Follow this topic

October 31, 2012

Why Idaho Is Trying To Attract Out-Of-State Hunters And Anglers

Idaho doesn’t cater to as many out-of-state hunters and fisherman as it once did. The Idaho Business Review reports that’s prompted the Fish and Game Department to step up marketing efforts. Idaho Fish and Game’s Michael Pearson told the Idaho Business Review that the number of non-resident fishing and hunting licenses sold by the state […]

July 25, 2012

More People Booked Hotels In Idaho Last Year

More people stayed in Idaho hotels, motels and campgrounds last year. That’s according to tax collection data provided by the Idaho State Tax Commission and Idaho Department of Commerce. The state raked in more than $7 million during the last fiscal year which ended June 30. That’s an increase of almost 7 percent over fiscal […]

July 24, 2012

How Idaho Attracts Tourists Without Big-Budget TV Ads

If you watch much television, chances are, you’ve seen ads like this one luring people to visit Michigan… The Pure Michigan ad campaign has been one of the most successful state tourism campaigns in the U.S. In fact, Idaho Division of Tourism director Karen Ballard says the Michigan campaign has become the poster child for […]

July 11, 2012

Report: Public Lands Support 15,000 Jobs In Idaho

Public lands, recreation, tourism and energy development contributed $1.54 billion to Idaho’s economy last year. That’s according to a report out this week from the U.S. Interior Department. The department manages 12 million acres of public land in Idaho, or nearly a quarter of the state. The agency also manages energy and mineral development on […]

June 11, 2012

Outdoor Recreation An “Overlooked Economic Giant”

Americans spent far more on outdoor recreation last year than they did on pharmaceuticals. That’s one finding of a report released this weekend that highlights the economic impact of outdoor recreation nationally and in the West. U.S. spending on outdoor recreation exceeded $645 billion last year, the report says. By comparison, spending on pharmaceuticals totaled […]

June 4, 2012

Airstream Dealership Signals Upswing In Idaho’s Economy

The silver bullet known as an Airstream trailer has roamed the nation’s highways since the 1930s. It’s as iconic as a Coke bottle. The start of summer brings with it thoughts of exploring and camping. For some people, that means hitching up the Airstream and heading out on the highway.

April 16, 2012

A Trying Year For Southern Idaho Ski Areas

Southern Idaho ski areas are wrapping up their seasons. Bogus Basin and Sun Valley have closed their lifts. Brundage has one more weekend, possibly more, if the snow holds. This ski season has been a trying year for them. Bogus Basin and Brundage Mountain had a late start to their ski seasons. Bogus opened January […]

March 14, 2012

Data Debacle: Blaine County’s True Top Employer

One of our readers recently asked why the Sun Valley Resort isn’t one of Blaine County’s top employers. Data from the Idaho Labor Department shows the Blaine County School District is the biggest employer in that county. Back in January we posted this map, which shows the top five employers in each county. We wanted […]

January 4, 2012

Bogus Basin Ski Area Cuts Pay, Hours and Jobs

The lack of snow is hurting Boise’s local ski hill. The Idaho Business Review reports Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area cut all year-round workers’ pay by 10 percent as it heads for the latest opening in the resort’s history. IBR.com reports the ski area will also eliminate hours and positions. Bogus is usually covered in […]

October 24, 2011

Business Owners Take On Recession vs Recovery

Some Idaho business owners say the same thing: recession or recovery, it doesn’t really matter what it’s called, business is slow. Last week we talked with Idaho economists about this idea. Boise State University economics professor Don Holley says labeling trends “recession” or “recovery” does make a difference. “If we were still (technically) in a […]