The 3D Project
Defining 3D
Travel Nevada is dedicated to growing tourism in rural Nevada and helping partners build thriving, authentic destinations that are great places to visit, live, and work.
The 3D Project is Travel Nevada’s Destination Development program. This innovative initiative, now in its third round, is a long-range, tourism-based community planning program which enables Nevada’s rural communities to be more intentional about growing their visitor economies. Communities that are selected to participate in the 3D Project will collaborate with community stakeholders and partners, Travel Nevada staff, and a team of consultants to create a 10-year Destination Plan that will provide guidance and recommendations for growing tourism in a way that is authentic, sustainable, and supports the community’s goals. Following the development of the plans, each awardee has the opportunity to apply for their share of $1 million to jump-start their plan and take the next steps to build strong local tourism economies.
This project is intended to provide rural Nevada destinations with a multi-dimensional look at their tourism assets and a jump-start to realizing their destination development goals.
The project kicks off by engaging a steering committee for each destination and conducting an asset inventory. Once complete, the team of consultants and Travel Nevada staff conduct onsite visits to each destination to meet with the steering committees to take a first-hand look at the community and hold a community engagement session to share ideas. Following onsite visits, the team works to identify strengths and gaps and conducts additional research to support recommendations around destination sustainability, capacity-building, economic development, hospitality, funding, and more.
The project kicks off by creating a steering committee for each destination and conducting an asset inventory. Once complete, the team of consultants and Travel Nevada staff conduct onsite visits to each destination to meet with the steering committees to take a first-hand look at the community and hold a community engagement session to share ideas. Following onsite visits, the team works to identify strengths and gaps.
Coupled with knowledge of the tourism industry, independent research, and input from the destination, Travel Nevada staff, consultants, and stakeholders will work together to develop a ten-year destination plan to help each awardee steer tourism in an authentic way and guide future developments within their communities. At the culmination of the consulting process, each destination can apply for funding to kick start their destination development goals.
The Travel Nevada team is constantly learning and evolving the process to best meet the needs of Nevada’s rural communities. Stay tuned for more 3D developments throughout this process.
Travel Nevada looks for strong partnerships, authentic attractions, and a destination’s potential to provide a great experience for visitors. If your community has these things, we encourage you to apply! Travel Nevada anticipates opening another round of projects in 2024, check this page for updates.
Applications for the third cohort of the 3D Project are now closed.
Read the Cohort 3 guidelines and FAQs for more details on the project and application.
Sign up for office hours with Destination Development Manager, Cortney Bloomer.
3D 10 Year Destination Plans
Click on the project name below to learn more about the Cohort 1 & 2 destinations and check out their 10-year Destination Plans.
Watch 9/9/22 Project Kickoff Meeting
Watch 2022 3D Kickoff Workshop
3D 2022 Kickoff Workshop PowerPoint
Download the Lincoln County Destination Development Plan (2021 pilot project). The Lincoln County plan is not the same as the 3D Project, but does represent pilot destination development efforts.