Idaho Travel Council Announces Annual Grant Awards

BOISE, Idaho (July 31, 2026) During its meeting held in Boise this week, the Idaho Travel Council (ITC) granted $11,155,592.04 in tourism marketing funding to non-profit organizations across the state through the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program. This is the largest amount awarded to-date in the history of the program.


Eligible award recipients include non-profit local and regional tourism development organizations such as chambers of commerce, convention and visitor bureaus and regional travel organizations. Grant recipients use their awarded grant dollars to promote tourism in cities, towns and regions across the state. Program elements are varied, but often include print and digital advertising, videography, brochures, attendance at travel shows, public relations, industry research and the creation of websites.

“The $11.1 million marks the largest award in the program’s history, and it will directly benefit communities and businesses across the state,” said Idaho Commerce Director Tom Kealey. “Our grantees will market Idaho as a top travel destination and play a key role in promoting tourism and economic development for Idaho. We thank our travel partners and team members for steering Idaho tourism to six consecutive years of record-breaking grant awards.”

This year’s grant award recipients are:

ApplicantAmount Awarded
  
REGION 1
North Idaho Tourism Alliance (NITA)$244,000
Coeur d’Alene Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)$1,330,000
Post Falls Chamber of Commerce$145,000
Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce$244,000
REGION 2
Visit Lewis Clark Valley$173,000
North Central Idaho Travel Assoc (NCITA)$88,000
Moscow Chamber of Commerce$168,000
REGION 3
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Boise$1,847,022
Nampa Chamber of Commerce$143,450
McCall Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau$500,000
Southwest Idaho Travel Assoc (SWITA)$1,258,331.46
REGION 4
Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce$770,000.63
REGION 5
Southeast Idaho High Country Tourism$249,000
Greater Pocatello Convention & Visitors Bureau$265,517.37
Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitor Bureau$59,000
REGION 6
Yellowstone Teton Territory (YTT)$2,064,539.26
REGION 7
Hailey Chamber of Commerce Inc$250,000
Lemhi County Economic Development Assoc (LCEDA)$50,000
Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce$180,000
Challis Chamber of Commerce$35,150.14
Sun Valley Marketing Alliance Inc$495,000
MULTI-REGION
Idaho Ski Areas Assoc (ISAA)$222,000
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Assoc (IOGA)$200,500
Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Assoc (ILRA)$174,081.18
 
TOTAL ITC GRANT AWARDS 2026$11,155,592.04

Visit Idaho activities are funded by a 2% tax paid by travelers and collected by the state’s hotel, motel, vacation rental and private campground owners. Forty-five percent of the funds collected are used for statewide programs targeted at domestic and international travelers, tour operators, travel agents, travel journalists and content creators. Another 45% is distributed back to communities through the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program. The remaining 10% is dedicated to the administration of Visit Idaho’s programs and activities.

Total lodging tax collections for the fiscal year 2026 reached $24,428,738.14, reflecting a 6.55 percent increase over fiscal year 2025.    

For more information on the ITC Grant program, click here.
For a history of the grant awards, click here.
For a list of Idaho Travel Council members, click here.           

Visit Idaho

Visit Idaho inspires travelers to explore experiences shaped by terrain, season and spirit. A contrast of rugged, forested peaks and wide-open high desert blends with whitewater rafting, unforgettable road trips, culinary experiences rooted in local agriculture, and the history and culture true to Western heritage. Travel here is guided by respect—for the land, the communities and everyone who shares them—so these places endure for generations. Visit Idaho is committed to growing the state’s economy through targeted, impactful promotions that benefit communities of all sizes. Learn more about the Power of Idaho Tourism at industry.visitidaho.org. Start your travel adventure at visitidaho.org.

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Contact:

Michael Cullen 

Visit Idaho

208-780-5141 

[email protected]