April 17, 2008
LCAT Reports on County Tourism

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Tourism efforts by the Lincoln County Action Team (LCAT) are underway for the 2008 season. At the April 9 regular monthly meeting of LCAT, it was suggested that the local group gather information for Las Vegas based tour companies that already bring groups through the county.

Holly Gatzke reported that Connie Mancillas of the Nevada Tourism Commission in Las Vegas sent a letter to several Las Vegas based tour companies informing them that LCAT is “actively working on several projects to generate more tourism opportunities into their area and to promote the communities of Lincoln County as true destination spots.” Ms. Mancillas stated in her letter that LCAT “would also like to communicate with tour companies who are interested in future tour ideas in Lincoln County and who might use the services of local tour guides, outfitters, and any other tourism related services that could be available.”

Mrs. Gatzke said she thought LCAT ought to contact the existing tour groups first and offer what help they can, rather than waiting to be contacted by them. “They are going on what they know exists in Lincoln County,” Holly said, “and I think we know a lot more things.” Discussion led to the idea of putting information of coming county events on the new Lincoln County website www.lincolncountynevada.com. Holly said she hoped the events and tourism link would be added to the website in the next couple of weeks.

Some of the County events being planned for 2008 include:

• Homecoming and Memorial Day celebrations in Caliente,
• Land Rover G4 Challenge - May 5-9, 
• Nevada Open Road Challenge race between Lund and Hiko - May 15-18,
• Lincoln County 4H Fair in Panaca - August 8-9,
• ET Full Moon Midnight Marathon in Rachel - August 16-17,
• North America Landsailing Association races in Rachel - August 30-31,
• Silver State Classic Challenge from Lund to Hiko - September 18-21.

Two privately sponsored events are:

• UFO conference in Rachel, May 23-25,
• UFO conference in Alamo, August 29-31.

The next LCAT meeting is scheduled for May 14 from 6:30 – 8 pm, and members said they preferred to return to the teleconferencing method, with the meeting places being in Caliente and Pahranagat Valley High School in Alamo.