Episode 14: Rural Tourism

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Welcome to Episode 14 of the Rural Business Show.

Here we talk about rural tourism with Chris Moran, Public Relations Specialist at Nevada Division of Tourism (TravelNevada).

The rural tourism industry is growing. Travelers are drawn to the genuine charm unique to small towns and their surrounding natural attractions. Many areas are taking full advantage. They do this through identifying those features that give them their identity and then investing in infrastructure, amenities and service-oriented businesses. They are then able to market an authentic experience to potential visitors.

Just like most states, Nevada is full of rural destinations, each having its own remarkable history and attractions that are anything but cookie-cutter. When one thinks of Nevada, the first thought, of course, is Las Vegas. And Reno, as the other metro area in the state, also has a bustling tourism draw. However, rural Nevada tourism is a $2.3 billion per year industry.

TravelNevada’s mandate is to promote the entire state, and it works to do it through a variety of means. About $1.5 million per year is allocated to rural partners to for various marketing efforts, and $200,000 is available every two years for historic preservation, infrastructure and signage. Other initiatives include cooperative marketing, where rural partners are included in larger print and digital media buys. Also, rural marketing pros are able to join with TravelNevada’s sales team at trade shows and sales missions around the world. And  the “Rural Roundup” convenes for three days annually, allowing rural tourism professionals to gain insights, network and create new partnerships at this popular conference.

The most recent Rural Roundup was in late April in Elko, and in this interview, Moran talked about the event and how she sees rural tourism progressing in the state.

Show Notes

TravelNevada

Nevada Industry Partners