Travel Nevada Awards Fiscal Year 2027 Grants to Rural Tourism Partners
CARSON CITY, NV – Following its most recent commission meeting, the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) approved $1.4 million in Rural Marketing Grants to support tourism development across the state for fiscal year (FY) 2027, beginning July 1, 2026. Administered by Travel Nevada, these funds will be distributed across 33 organizations, helping rural communities enhance their destinations, boost overnight stays, increase room tax revenue, and support local jobs.
NCOT also approved $436,315 for destination development funding for projects designed to enhance visitor experiences and advance long-term tourism growth in rural communities across Nevada.
Some of the funded Rural Marketing Grant projects include:
- A $64,320 grant to Cowboy Country to support an integrated marketing campaign targeting high-value travelers through international partnerships, digital content creation, and enhanced online visitor experiences.
- $156,276 was awarded to Las Vegas Territory to promote tourism in extended destinations beyond Las Vegas through targeted sales and marketing efforts, including PR outreach, digital advertising, website enhancements, social media campaigns, travel trade training, and visitor engagement initiatives designed to increase awareness and visitation across rural Nevada.
- A $106,033 grant was awarded to Nevada’s Indian Territory to advance eco-cultural tourism that is inclusive of the Great Basin Indigenous People, promote environmental stewardship, and create economic opportunities. The initiative supports sustainable tourism through a balanced focus on economic, environmental, and social-cultural outcomes.
- A $174,760 grant to Frontier Territory to support a multi-channel marketing campaign showcasing more than 20 communities through print, digital, social media, website, blog, and display advertising. The initiative uses compelling storytelling to increase visitor awareness, inspire travel throughout the region, and generate economic benefits through increased tourism spending and tax revenue.
- $175,054 was awarded to Pony Express Territory to expand its strategic tourism marketing program through digital advertising, social media, public relations, video, photography, and print outreach. Targeting key regional markets, the campaign promotes the area’s outdoor recreation, historic attractions, and community events to increase visitation and drive economic impact across participating communities.
- A $172,523 grant to Reno-Tahoe Territory to implement a regional tourism marketing and sales program to increase visitation, expand destination awareness, and support year-round travel across six partner destinations. The initiative includes public relations, travel trade outreach, hosted media tours, digital marketing, and destination activations designed to drive economic impact and long-term tourism growth throughout the territory.
“Our rural tourism partners play a vital role in showcasing the authentic experiences that make Nevada a unique destination,” said Nevada Lieutenant Governor and Chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, Stavros Anthony. These investments will support tourism initiatives that strengthen local economies, enhance quality of life, and inspire more travelers to discover Nevada. I commend each recipient for their vision, creativity, and commitment to growing tourism across our state.”
Grant applications were review ed by Travel Nevada staff and the Territory Advisory Committee on May 11, 2026, before being submitted to NCOT for final approval. To ensure accountability and project progress, Travel Nevada will conduct mid-year check-ins with all grantees and require quarterly fiscal reporting with deliverables.
For a complete list of grant recipients, click here.
In addition to the Rural Marketing Grants, NCOT also approved funding for the fourth cohort of the Destination Development Design (3D) Program, a long-term tourism planning initiative that provides six months of consulting to help rural communities develop sustainable tourism strategies.
“The 3D Program is designed to move communities beyond short-term marketing and into long-term destination planning that is rooted in authenticity and stewardship,” said Nicole Orsua, chief industry development officer of Travel Nevada. “By providing hands-on consulting and strategic support, we help rural partners build clear, actionable plans that strengthen their tourism economies while preserving the unique character of each destination.”
The FY27 3D Project Cohort 4, Goldfield Main Street was awarded $436,315 to develop a 10-Year Destination Plan to rebrand the town, leveraging its distinction as one of Nevada’s few National Historic Districts. The plan will highlight Goldfield’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and outdoor recreation opportunities to increase visitation and preserve the town’s Wild West heritage.
An additional 3D Project Cohort 4 grant participant, Mesquite Opportunities Regional Fund, will be on the September NCOT agenda to allow more time for the participating partners to connect on specific tactics included within the plan.
Applications for FY28 Rural Marketing Grants will open in early 2027. Travel Nevada will continue to provide educational and partner resources to guide applicants through the grant process. For more on the Rural Marketing Grants program, click here.
The Nevada Division of Tourism is a division of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. More commonly known as Travel Nevada, the Nevada Division of Tourism is responsible for promoting and marketing Nevada as a travel destination to domestic and international travelers. Operating within a performance-based budget structure, Travel Nevada is funded solely by a percentage of lodging tax paid by overnight guests throughout the state. For more, visit TravelNevada.biz.