NCOT launches tourism blitz on east coast

The Nevada Commission on Tourism is sending its sales and media relations teams on the road Oct. 12-17 to promote winter travel with tour operators, travel agents and journalists in Boston, New York and Miami.

"Travel can be one of the last industries to improve during and after a recession, so we are making every effort to keep Nevada in the minds of travelers as we enter the winter and holiday season," Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki said. "Our media relations team will meet with travel magazines, newspapers and journalists to brainstorm story ideas that complement what travel agencies and tour operators offer."

The sales team will meet with businesses in Boston, New York and Miami that package trips to Nevada, generating income and tax revenues for the state. All three cities provide easy access to Nevada's major airports in Reno and Las Vegas.

Reno's lead airline, Southwest, is adding new service to Boston through Denver in January, opening up a potentially lucrative travel market for Nevada. The sales team will supplement its efforts by attending consumer travel shows in Boston and New York.

"Our sales team has had incredible success meeting with tour operators around the country in cities that have convenient air service to Nevada," NCOT Director Dann Lewis said. "We have had a strong presence in the western United States, so with this trip we're focusing on eastern cities with large populations and easy connections to Nevada."

This is the first time the tourism agency has sent its media relations and sales staff to the same markets at the same time to complement each other's efforts. This is also the first time NCOT has proactively reached out to travel partners and media in Boston and Miami.

The current sales and public relations blitz will focus on the upcoming ski season and winter events in Nevada.

For more information about the Nevada Commission on Tourism, visit www.travelnevada.com.