NTA Urges Nevada Legislators to Support Nevada Commission on Tourism
March 19, 2009
Contact: Sara Spencer
sara.spencer@NTAstaff.com
800.682.8886
859.226.4418 March 19, 2009
NTA Urges Nevada Legislators to Support Nevada Commission on Tourism
Lexington, Ky. — The National Tour Association has entered the debate on the future of the Nevada Commission on Tourism.
"Currently, at least 272 NTA companies regularly send tours to Nevada," said NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP. "That’s a very high volume and the source of tens of thousands of visits throughout the state, resulting in phenomenal economic impact."
NTA is working to assist its members in Nevada in maintaining full funding and independent staffing for the Nevada Commission on Tourism. Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has proposed a 60 percent cut in funding for the Commission and is calling for a redirection of room tax and a merger with the Commission on Economic Development. Legislators will consider the issue today, Thursday, March 19.
In a letter sent to the Committee to Save Nevada Tourism, Simon stressed the importance of the Nevada Commission on Tourism in increasing travel to the state.
"We can speak first hand about how the Nevada Commission on Tourism has
developed increased travel to your state over the last quarter century, because of its involvement with the National Tour Association," said Simon.
NTA held Conventions in Reno in 1985 and 1995, and will hold its Annual Convention there this year, Nov. 14-18. In 2011, the Convention will be in Las Vegas. Both these Conventions draw travel professionals from 40 countries, which will continue the growth of packaged travel to the Silver State, bringing more than $3 million dollars to the city during the actual five-day event. Also, with hundreds of tour operators attending each NTA Convention, the hosting city and Nevada receive long-term economic residuals when these companies bring their customers back to the state.
NTA’s letter will be part of the material state legislators will have for the hearing today.
The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA strives to provide value for its members by advancing the packaged travel industry through its advocacy efforts and progressive leadership. Connecting its members through business development, government relations, professional development and research, NTA has remained committed to serving its members with integrity and quality service since its founding in 1951. Today, the NTA membership represents 40 countries, and includes tour and travel packagers of all types. To learn more about the most important destination for packaged travel professionals, please visit www.NTAonline.com.
– 30 –