The Nevada Division of Tourism (TravelNevada) today announced a preliminary 2016 report showing travel spending increased by $1.4 billion in the state in 2016.
The report was announced during the industry’s designated education day at the Nevada State Legislature. Hoteliers, visitor bureaus, and others from the travel industry gathered at the Legislature to celebrate and educate legislators about the value of tourism to the state.
The preliminary report, created by Dean Runyan Associates, a leader in tourism economic analysis and market research, compiles data through November 2016 and projections for December 2016. A final report will be available this spring and is expected to align with projections, as there were no visible downturns in visitation in the final month of 2016.
The report found total travel spending topped $65.8 billion in 2016, an increase of $1.4 billion or 2.2 percent over 2015; travel spending supported 492,300 Nevadans in 2016, an increase of 1 percent over 2015. This accounts for approximately 29 percent of the total workforce in Nevada State and local tax receipts generated by travel spending increased 3.9 percent, totaling $3.23 billion. This accounts for a quarter of all state and local tax revenues in Nevada.
The Carson City Visitors Bureau also reported increased tourism numbers.
Executive Director Joel Dunn said room revenues in Carson City climbed to $16.69 million in 2016, an increase of 3.8 percent over 2015.
“We are currently tracking at an increase of 9.6 percent as of July 2016, and project revenues topping $18 million during 2017,” Dunn said. “We are happy to see the growth at the state level and proud to be contributing our part.”
He added Carson City’s average daily rate for the top 5 lodging properties increased 6.9 percent, coming in at $96.27 per room per night.