Skift Take
Nevada wants people to know that it has more than casinos and entertainment attractions like The Sphere. The state is investing in tourism that supports its local communities outside of Las Vegas.
Nevada has set its sights on a different kind of tourism. Rather than tout the famous casinos of Las Vegas, the state’s tourism division, Travel Nevada, is pushing rural tourism and the natural beauty of the state.
In 2022, the U.S. Economic Development Administration began disbursing $510 million in tourism grants to help states invest in marketing, infrastructure, workforce and other projects to strengthen their travel markets. Nevada received one of the largest grants – $13.5 million, of which Travel Nevada received $2.1 million. Over the past year, the state has started to hand out this grant money to rural areas.
“It’s our mission to get people beyond the bright lights, beyond the neons, and get out to experience the heart of Nevada,” said Nicole Orsua, chief industry development officer for Nevada Division of Tourism, also known as Travel Nevada. �