01-08-09 Tourism Commission Launches Blitz

Nevada Commission on Tourism Launches International and West Coast Sales Blitz

Press Release, December 15, 2008

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT), confronting economic challenges head-on, launched an international and West Coast sales blitz Monday to promote the Silver State as a choice visitor destination, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki announced.

Five NCOT sales staff members took to the road for a week-long sales campaign covering Canada, Mexico, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. They will promote travel to Nevada with domestic and international tour operators, airline representatives, travel agencies, coach and limousine companies, journalists, wholesalers, sports and leisure markets, California’s AAA Automobile Club and receptive operators, who accommodate arriving international tours.

“Our most experienced NCOT representatives are being strategically deployed to meet face-to-face with influential tourism contacts and sell them on Nevada as the best choice for visitors who seek the most bang for their buck during these economically challenging times,” Krolicki, NCOT chair, said. “Nevada is bursting with new tourism products: Exciting new attractions are opening, new hotels are being built, and new events are occurring. NCOT is committed to making a concerted effort to seize upon this unusual opportunity.”

The NCOT sales team will distribute a brochure called “What’s New in Nevada,” that features new hotel construction, dining, shopping, entertainment and events in Las Vegas, Reno and all across rural Nevada. Among new listings are Encore Suites of Wynn Las Vegas, opening Dec. 22, and several properties underway: The Fountainbleau Las Vegas, The Grand Hyatt Las Vegas at the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino and MGM Mirage’s spectacular CityCenter urban metropolis.

Reno-Lake Tahoe listings include expansions and renovations at Reno’s Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino, new ski trails opening at Heavenly ski resort, the Reno Aces AAA minor league ballpark opening April 17 and the just-opened West Street Market attraction near the downtown Truckee River Whitewater Park.

Among rural Nevada facilities and events to be promoted are lodging and dining in Caliente, a new campground at Kershaw-Ryan State Park, the Winter Wings and Wildlife Festival in Laughlin March 13-15, Americana Concert at Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City May 2 and the Jarbidge Centennial Sept. 14-16.

The team will add these developments and more to their usual roster of attractions and exciting things happening around Nevada.

“The sales mission will throw a spotlight on Nevada’s unique 24-hour lifestyle and variety of activities that deliver an unbeatable combination to attract visitors while fitting everyone’s pocketbook,” Krolicki said.

Extending its reach, NCOT’s Sales and Industry Partners Division, which promotes Nevada’s attractions and destinations with the tourism industry worldwide, will send a “What’s New in Nevada” e-mail blast Dec. 17 to 3,500 additional tour operators, hotels, airlines and tourism businesses across the nation and around the world.

“Nevada is open for business, and deals have never been better,” Krolicki said. “This is an excellent time to visit us and we intend to make sure everyone knows it.”