Grants to help Idaho keep up with tourism growth

It used to be people came to Idaho to visit their grandma or a favorite uncle.

Today, people still come to visit their relatives, but more of them are coming to Idaho to fish in its pristine streams, camp in its forests and climb its mountains. Each day, Debbie Dane, executive director of the South Central Idaho Tourism and Recreation Development Association, receives dozens of e-mails from people all over the globe who are planning vacations to Idaho.

Their interests are as varied as the places from which they come. Some arrive for the recreation and some come to check out the real estate. One guy came to research the history of irrigation in the region. “We’re being discovered as a destination,” Dane said. “People are coming because it’s a beautiful place to come and visit. It’s a nice place to come and play.”

By Sandy Miller
Times News writer

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2006/08/04/news_business/business.1.txt