Idaho tourism continues growth despite economy

Tourism in Idaho continues to grow at a record pace, and local tourism officials say inflation is not likely to slow things down any time soon. Thousands of out-of-state travelers are drawn to Idaho’s outdoor recreation attractions, food and drink destinations, as well as the annual Treefort Music Festival.

This year, the Gem State is poised to be ahead of 2019 pre-pandemic numbers of tourists and leisure travelers.

“We’re the third largest industry, behind agriculture and technology,” Carrie Westergard, Visit Boise executive director, said. “Tourism in just Southwest Idaho is bringing in $1.9 billion in direct travel spending.”

Inflation is not likely to impact travel into Idaho, since shorter trips are likely to be the focus for travelers this year.

“One benefit that we have is that we are kind of a drive market, as well as a nonstop flight market for those quick flights,” Westergard said. “I think the trend when there’s some inflation might be a shorter trip or long weekends, and I believe that Boise is an ideal market for that.”

Treefort Music Festival, a massive music festival that continues to grow every year, hosted over 500 artists who performed at 60 different stages across Downtown Boise last week. Westergard estimates that the festival brought in over $8 million in travel spending this year, with that money going toward and supporting local restaurants and businesses.

“It’s been growing every year,  and last year Treefort organizers saw an average daily attendance of 12,000 people a day–45% of those are from out of state, that includes some of the bands, media, volunteers and staff that come in to help with the event,” Westergard added. “They brought in nearly $8 million in estimated event impact. So this year, it’s safe to say that the estimated event impact would be well over 8 million.”

Beyond Idaho’s diverse outdoor attractions, leisure travelers are increasingly drawn to Idaho’s growing culinary, craft beer, wine and cocktail scene.

“The diverse culinary scene that’s been growing here, craft beer, wine as well as the cocktail scene, has definitely been an attraction,” she said. “Of course, the foothills being so close to us, bogus basin, the trail system and the Greenbelt. There are a lot of different reasons for leisure travelers to come here. We also work with meetings, conventions, and events, which have really kind of come back since the pandemic.”