Members of Nevada’s tourism industry, legislators meet during Tourism Day at the Legislature

About 50 representatives from Nevada’s tourism industry gathered at the Legislature today (March 18) to discuss the travel industry’s broad impact on the economy and how to better convey that message to elected officials. (At left, Dennis Castleman of the U.S. Travel Association speaks to members of the travel industry during Tourism Day at the Legislature.)

In Nevada, the travel industry generated $2.7 billion in state and local tax revenue in calendar year 2011. It supported 447,000 jobs in calendar year 2011 — that’s 30 percent of all employment in calendar year 2011. (Click here for more on Nevada Travel Impacts.)

“It’s all about jobs,” Claudia Vecchio, director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (NDTCA), said. “If there’s any doubt in anyone’s mind that tourism is the state’s leading industry, these are the numbers they need to see.”

Getting this message to Nevada legislators was the group’s focus: Members were scheduled to meet with legislators and to sit in on floor sessions.  

Dennis Castleman of the U.S. Travel Association also spoke about the travel industry’s impact on the national economy and the importance of getting that message to elected officials. He shared the association’s “Travel Blitz” campaign, which helps those in travel industry reach out to their congressional delegations.

“Please, talk to your officials,” Castleman said. “Help them understand the economic impact impact. Our industry is very, very important to the United States.”