COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — This summer has brought a record number of tourists to Coeur d’Alene, with visitors from across the country and around the world discovering what locals have long known about this Inland Northwest destination.
The surge in tourism has created a positive economic ripple effect throughout the city, with most local businesses reporting increased activity and revenue during the peak summer season.
“I think people like that hometown feel of Coeur d’Alene,” said Mark Robitaille, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Convention & Visitor Bureau.
The influx of out-of-state and international visitors has been particularly noticeable to those working in the hospitality industry. Local waitress Brooke Jones said she serves customers from far beyond the region’s borders.
“I get a lot of out-of-staters, a lot of people from Canada, even across the country, in Europe and Asia and stuff like that,” Jones said. “But yeah, it has definitely been busier with tourists.”
Visitors are drawn to the city’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Michelle Lim, who traveled to Coeur d’Alene from Nevada said she was impressed with the city’s beauty.
“Oh, I think it’s beautiful. It’s great. We went to the water yesterday. They were having a big to-do down at the water,” Lim said.
The tourism boom is seen in the economic data. Robitaille said the city tracks visitor numbers through lodging tax collected by the state of Idaho, which shows measurable growth.
“Right now, fiscal year end, we’re up about 2.5%,” Robitaille said.
A portion of the lodging tax revenue funds marketing efforts designed to attract even more visitors in future seasons.
“We market our region around the nation and even in British Columbia, attracting people to come for that economic impact,” Robitaille said.
The city is preparing for continued growth in tourism with several new hotel and lodging construction projects currently underway.
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