Spike in Idaho tourism drives 13% jump in state lodging taxes

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Idaho is on track to collect a record-high in lodging taxes this year as the state sees a spike in tourism. The Lewiston Tribune reports ( http://bit.ly/1WKWwPH ) that officials say the state is on track to surpass the $10 million mark in revenue from the 2 percent lodging tax for the fiscal year that ends June 30. Department of Commerce Director Megan Ronk says the state is experiencing a 13 percent growth in the tax compared to last year. Ronk says lodging tax collections could grow in the future as the state is expected to gain about 1,200 new hotel and motel rooms by the end of 2017. The growth means good things for Idaho tourism, which is the state’s third-largest industry, behind agriculture and technology.