Destination: Idaho

Idaho is no longer some place unheard of by most in America. Or the world, for that matter.
“The world is discovering that Idaho is now much more than just potatoes,” said Clint Schroeder, president and corporate publisher of Hagadone Communications and Hagadone Newspaper and Media Groups.
Numbers back him up.
Idaho’s tourism industry attracts about 37 million people a year. It generates about $438.6 million in tax revenue, and it is the third-largest industry, behind agriculture and technology. It employs about 55,000 people and in fiscal year 2023, created $5.8 billion in direct spending.
“That is definitely not pocket change,” Schroeder said Wednesday.
Schroeder delivered a 30-minute talk on the increasingly important role of the state’s tourism sector to about 75 legislators and others at the Hagadone Event Center. It was the last day of the Idaho Legislative Tour organized by the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber and Idaho Chamber Alliance.
Schroeder said Idaho tourism saw five-year average growth of 13.3% from 2018 to 2023 and was a billion-dollar economic engine that touched every corner of the state and almost every business.
In fiscal year 2023, North Idaho was responsible for $1.25 billion in travel spending, 13,110 jobs and $463 million in earnings.
Statewide, skiing, golfing and boating pull in guests, along with hiking, biking and fishing. World-class accommodations like The Coeur d’Alene Resort attract people year-round.
Silverwood Theme Park, Silver Mountain and Schweitzer ski resorts, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Circling Raven Golf Course have commanded attention.
“All the things travelers like to do when they get away, Idaho has to offer,” Schroeder said.
He cited visionaries including the late Duane Hagadone and Silverwood founder Gary Norton for leading the way.
“We have such a vibrant tourism tapestry in the state of Idaho,” Schroeder said.
While some complain tourists drive up costs for locals, he said tourism revenue is equivalent to $649 in tax relief per Idahoan household.
“That’s a huge benefit to many of our residents,