If North Idaho's tourism economy went in for its annual check-up this summer, the doctor would undoubtedly say this region is in excellent health.

"Our region, North Idaho Region 1, we’re up about 7 percent over last year. It has been a steady increase," said Mark Robitaille, director of the Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Last year we were around the same, 6 to 7 percent, so we’ve seen increases year over year consistently. I know the state is at about between 11 and 12 percent increase over last year."

The upward tourism trend that Idaho's picturesque panhandle has been experiencing in recent years is continuing, as reflected by reports from local hospitality and dining establishments.

"I think it’s been pretty busy this year, busier than last year," said Don Huang, general manager of the Flamingo Motel on Sherman Avenue. "We’ve had rooms filled every day."

Huang said big community events such as Car d'Lane and the Fourth of July are always busy times for the Flamingo, but this year he has noticed guests are having longer stays in the Lake City.

"I've had multiple people stay for like seven days. That's not common," he said. "I don't know what's going on this year, but it's completely different."

Silverwood Theme Park has already tapped into the concept of longer stays with its non-consecutive tickets for multiple days.

"It’s really the early bird sale that we did," said Silverwood's marketing and communications director, Jordan Carter. "We added early bird two-day tickets, and that was really successful. That was our first year doing that, and a lot of people are taking advantage of that."

Carter reported that Silverwood is experiencing an increase in visitors this season, up 4.5 percent in ticket sales for June, "which is awesome because last year we had a record-breaking June," he said. "To be at that spot is really good."

He said Silverwood has been bumping up its social media presence. E-ticket sales are up 40 percent and people are coming from all over to enjoy what the theme park has to offer. A number of the park's guests have been from Canada.

"I really think people aren’t taking their trips to Disney, they're not flying to California,” Carter said. "It’s a great deal to just come across the border. People are discovering where we are and that Idaho isn't that far away."

Robitaille said the CVB advertises in locations including Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Seattle, Portland and into British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta. Even though the currency exchange rate is not too favorable for Canadians right now — $.76 for $1 U.S. — Idaho's northern neighbors are still traveling to Kootenai County for vacations and shopping close to home.

"They may not come for as long, but they're still coming," Robitaille said. "They enjoy our region, especially the folks from southern British Columbia."

Huang said many of his guests this year have come from Canada and Montana.

"They're just down here for vacation, no particular reason," he said.

Nicky McClean, general manager and chef of Fire Artisan Pizza in Coeur d'Alene, said she's seeing a high volume of locals mixed in with the tourists, and many of the visitors are from the Midwest.

"It’s super great to know the locals are enjoying the summer downtown as well and not being scared off by the tourists," she said. "I've seen a lot of people excited about Coeur d'Alene who have never been here before."

Coeur d'Alene's most anticipated community events, such as Ironman, Car d'Lane and Art on the Green, always draw crowds, but new events are attracting people even in the off-seasons, like the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association's Mac and Cheese Festival, which was held in January.

“They expected several hundred attendees and I think they were well over 1,000," Robitaille said.

A few new venues are also adding to Coeur d'Alene's appeal. Robitaille said the new downtown restaurants and establishments such as the Honey Social Club and NYC Piano Bar bode well for the 2018 tourism season.

"The economy is strong, which is allowing people the ability to open these new establishments, which really does enhance our downtown area and our destination as a whole," he said. "When people are looking for a place to go, they’re looking for things to do, places to stay, places to eat. All of that is an entire package of that destination."

The Coeur d'Alene Resort just underwent a $10 million renovation, upgrading and modernizing all of its 338 guest rooms as well as updating the convention center.

"The news of our renovations has created an excitement from visitors from all over the country," said Resort sales director Jamie Cornell. "Our Resort is still the same great place that they have known and loved, but now they can enjoy a more comfortable stay with all of the modern amenities."

Resort digital media manager Cally King said guests who were aware of the renovation have been excited to see the changes while those who were unaware have been pleasantly surprised.

"We have leisure traveling guests and we have group guests," she said. "Its affected both of those in good ways."

She said The Resort has great guests all year 'round, but this year has been an exceptional one.

"We’re thinking from start to finish, it will be one of our strongest years yet," King said. "We think the holiday light show (in December) will be the biggest and baddest it ever has been."

Resort resident manager Doug Burnett, who represents Region 1 on the Idaho Travel Council, said the state tourism office recently published its fiscal year-end 2018 bed tax collection report, which reflects significant visitor growth due to the popularity of the area.

"Revenue from these collections is up 12.35 percent over 2017 bed tax receipts," he said. "Over $12 million was collected this past fiscal year in bed tax revenue from overnight visitors to Idaho. The state tourism office, headed by Diane Norton and her staff, has done a wonderful job in promoting tourism to the state and to our region.

"Here in North Idaho specifically, we are well represented by tourism marketing grantees who work tirelessly to get the word out about all the things to do and see here," he said. "I’m very optimistic regarding the continued growth of tourism to our state and local area."