Welcome to the 83rd session of the Nevada Legislature!

We are the Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada), and we operate within the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to help achieve the priority of a vibrant and sustainable economy. In addition to managing the state’s tourism efforts, Travel Nevada provides communities and businesses with development resources, training, and grant assistance that help bolster local economic bases and diversify regional economies. We also produce Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide, a publication that provides travel inspiration through its articles and photography.

With a presence statewide, Travel Nevada is focused on creating a fulfilling quality of life for all Nevadans. As our research shows, travelers who visit Nevada leave with a deeper understanding of our western heritage, knowledge of the state’s abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, and a renewed appreciation for wide open landscapes. And while those travelers leave with a promise to return, the state benefits with increased tax generation, job creation and retention, infrastructure investment, and more opportunity for residents.

Rafael Villanueva
Rafael Villanueva
CEO, Travel Nevada
Discover the Facts
Total Humboldt County Impacts
$148.2M
Spending
1,222
Employment
$36.3M
Income
Direct Humboldt County Impacts
$93.8M
Spending
792
Employment
$23M
Income
Total Lander County Impacts
$52.7M
Spending
331
Employment
$9M
Income
Direct Lander County Impacts
$32.3M
Spending
207
Employment
$5.3M
Income
Total Pershing County Impacts
$31.5M
Spending
203
Employment
$5.5M
Income
Direct Pershing County Impacts
$19.8M
Spending
128
Employment
$3.3M
Income
Total Washoe County Impacts
$5.2B
Spending
43,463
Employment
$1.9B
Income
Direct Washoe County Impacts
$3.3B
Spending
27,776
Employment
$1.2B
Income
Total Elko County Impacts
$972.4M
Spending
7,233
Employment
$284.5M
Income
Direct Elko County Impacts
$638.8M
Spending
4,872
Employment
$188.9M
Income
Total Eureka County Impacts
$19M
Spending
123
Employment
$4.8M
Income
Direct Eureka County Impacts
$7.4M
Spending
58
Employment
$1.8M
Income
Partner Testimonials
"Tourism means travel and the process of spending time away from home in pursuit of adventure, relaxation, different cuisines, and cultures. I have had the opportunity to travel to many destinations domestically and internationally and think ultimately life is about experiences and not so much about the things we have. [...]"
"Tourism means travel and the process of spending time away from home in pursuit of adventure, relaxation, different cuisines, and cultures. I have had the opportunity to travel to many destinations domestically and internationally and think ultimately life is about experiences and not so much about the things we have. Tourism allows us to dream and fulfill that void in all of us. The excitement of the unknown and the feeling of living to the fullest."
Tom Lester
Tom Lester
Tourism & Marketing Manager, Elko Convention & Visitors Authority
Cowboy Country Territory
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"I am the director of the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum in Elko. Without these essential funding resources, small nonprofit museums in rural Nevada, such as ours, have no means of advertising. We do not receive local tax or room tax dollars. Our mission is not only to tell the [...]"
"I am the director of the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum in Elko. Without these essential funding resources, small nonprofit museums in rural Nevada, such as ours, have no means of advertising. We do not receive local tax or room tax dollars. Our mission is not only to tell the story of the legacy of the cowboy arts but to bring visitors to the remote parts of the state for “heads in beds” and return for repeat visits with new friends. The grant monies the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum has received enables us to advertise our museum and community in Nevada Magazine and for rack/brochure card distribution. Without this form of marketing and advertising, we wouldn’t be able to draw in visitors, not only to the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum but to the community as a whole. Without tourism, we can't survive! Come visit and check us out!"
Jan Petersen
Jan Petersen
Director, Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum
Cowboy Country Territory
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"Nevada is a truly unique and special place. We have the privilege of operating on Nevada public lands in the Ruby Mountains. As a family, we own and operate Ruby Mountain Helicopter Skiing and Ruby 360 Lodge- The oldest family-owned helicopter skiing operation in the United States. Every day in [...]"
"Nevada is a truly unique and special place. We have the privilege of operating on Nevada public lands in the Ruby Mountains. As a family, we own and operate Ruby Mountain Helicopter Skiing and Ruby 360 Lodge- The oldest family-owned helicopter skiing operation in the United States. Every day in the Ruby Mountains is different and it is so special being able to operate and show people a high mountain, Great Basin experience which many people never knew existed and will never forget after their time here. We have worked many times with Travel Nevada creating inspiring projects to show people a small piece of what this incredible state has to offer. Tourism is a huge part of Nevada and our business, as is offering recreational experiences throughout the state. Invest in your memories."
Michael Royer
Marketing Director, Ruby Mountain Heli-Skiing Experience
Cowboy Country Territory
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"Nevada is rich with so many stories and beautiful locations to share with visitors from near and far. Tourism should help showcase a community or location. It should be a grassroots effort that starts within a community where the residents are proud of their cultures, history, beautiful locations, available activities, [...]"
"Nevada is rich with so many stories and beautiful locations to share with visitors from near and far. Tourism should help showcase a community or location. It should be a grassroots effort that starts within a community where the residents are proud of their cultures, history, beautiful locations, available activities, and events. Visitors are always seeking new and unique experiences. Working together the community can share their unique stories which in turn will help increase the appreciation and stewardship of the area. Enhancing tourism does need to be very thoughtfully planned to help conserve both the authenticity of the place and the natural environment and it is also a way to enhance the quality of life for residents while enhancing economic diversity."
Barbara Keleher
Barbara Keleher
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada Outdoor Recreation Partner
Cowboy Country Territory
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"There are nine National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada that are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration and coordination with numerous state and local partners: Sheldon, Anaho Island, Fallon, Stillwater, Ruby Lake, Ash Meadows, Desert, Moapa Valley, and Pahranagat. National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters serve [...]"
"There are nine National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada that are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration and coordination with numerous state and local partners: Sheldon, Anaho Island, Fallon, Stillwater, Ruby Lake, Ash Meadows, Desert, Moapa Valley, and Pahranagat. National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters serve a purpose distinct from that of other U.S. public lands: Wildlife conservation drives everything on national wildlife refuges, from the purposes for which each refuge was established to the recreational activities offered, to the resource management tools used. The national wildlife refuges in Nevada are special places for wildlife and people. They provide important habitats for hundreds of plant and animal species, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and provide recreation opportunities that include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, and education, as well as associated activities such as hiking, backpacking, boating, and camping. All these recreational activities support the outdoor recreation-based tourism economy in Nevada, especially in the small rural communities near the refuges. In the fiscal year 2020, recreational spending by 61 million visitors to national wildlife refuges helped generate about $3 billion in economic activity and support 41,000 jobs."
Kevin DesRoberts
US Fish and Wildlife Service—Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Cowboy Country Territory
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Visitor Profile

Visitors to Cowboy Country spend about $558 per overnight visitor, rate their trip to Nevada highly (4.3 on a 5-point scale in 2023) and have a high likelihood of returning to Nevada in the next two years (4.2 on a 5-point scale in 2023).

Tourism Means More
Grant-funded Projects in Your District

Travel Nevada offers opportunities to communities to develop their tourism products via two grant programs.

  • The agency’s Rural Marketing Grants help communities market their destination to visitors to generate overnight stays. Travel Nevada awards $1.5 million per year to rural partners for a variety of marketing projects.
  • The 3D (Destination Development Design) Program is a long-range, tourism-based community planning program that enables Nevada’s rural communities to be intentional about growing their visitor economies. Now in its third round, each awarded destination project goes through a strategic planning process and will share $1 million to execute their plans at the completion of the process.

Your district lies in the Cowboy Country Territory. Below is a list of some of the projects that have been funded as part of the grant programs:

  • $101,122 award was granted to the Cowboy Country to support ongoing marketing efforts that promote the territory both domestically and internationally at tradeshows; fund digital campaigns in Salt Lake City, UT; promote the World Human Powered Speed Challenge event in Battle Mountain; and fund social media ads to ultimately increase overnight stays in its territory.

  • A $46,991 award was granted to the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum to fund a marketing plan to increase awareness, drive participation, and foster community engagement for the Annual Bit, Spur, Rawhide Rein, and Romal Contest and Auction.

  • A $30,350 award was granted to the Elko Convention and Visitors Authority to rebrand and implement a marketing plan with a goal to grow and diversify visitation.

  • A $22,680 award was granted to the Elko Desert Sunrise Community Fund to raise funds to host the fourth annual Ruby Roubaix Gravel Fondo cycling event and the development of a marketing campaign that will utilize both print and digital advertising to attract new cyclists.

  • A $16,250 award was granted to the Lander County Convention and Tourism Authority to develop a marketing campaign to showcase the unique features, attractions, and activities to experience in Lander County destinations to increase visitation and event participation.

  • A $9,000 award was granted to the California Trail Heritage Alliance to develop a strategic plan with a goal of increasing visitation to the California Trail Center in Elko and California Trail historical sites throughout Northeastern Nevada and the territory. The plan will focus on messaging in both digital and print activations.

  • A $4,150 award was granted to the City of Carlin for a billboard advertising campaign with a goal to encourage traffic on HWY 80 to exit at Carlin and increase visitation.

  • A $1,000 award was granted to the Nevada Outfitters and Guides Association to promote outdoor recreation in Northeastern Nevada. The campaign will focus on marketing to outdoor enthusiasts interested in a wide variety of activities.

  • Statewide

    A $61,600 award was granted to Nevada’s Indian Territory to strengthen cultural awareness and identity through an eco-cultural tourism project, while being environmentally responsible and inclusive of the Great Basin Indigenous People and providing economic development opportunities.

  • A $20,000 award was granted to the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) to implement a marketing plan to increase tourism within Washoe County and bring recognition of the culturally enriched history of the Washoe, Paiute, and Shoshone Tribal Nations that celebrate and support history, arts, culture, and traditions, reaching larger populations to attend events hosted by RSIC.

  • A $4,272 award was granted to The Buckaroo Traditions Gathering event in Winnemucca to promote the celebration of Nevada’s Buckaroo heritage. This event will partner with the Moving Forward Powwow event in Fallon to honor Native American culture. They will boost tourism and attract visitors by showcasing their diverse traditions in different regions, fostering economic growth and community cohesion statewide.

  • 3D Projects in your District

    Washoe County/Cowboy Country Territory Friends of Black Rock High Rock was awarded $262,353 to put their 10-Year Destination Plan into motion. The plan will create heritage tourism assets that highlight and showcase the area’s unique and colorful history. The plan will focus on improving the quality of life for both visitors and residents and relies on strong partnerships with key organizations.