'Vote Travel' Bus Tour Rolls Through Las Vegas

U.S. Travel, LVCVA, Chamber Rally for Tourism Industry

LAS VEGAS, April 12, 2012 /CNW/ - As voters prepare to go to the polls later this year, the most important vote they can cast is to "Vote Travel."

The U.S. Travel Association partnered with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce to hold the first rally as part of the tourism industry's national bus tour to raise awareness for the importance of travel and tourism to our nation's economic stimulus.

"Travel and tourism are the lifeblood of the Nevada economy and a key driver for the continued growth of our national economy," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the LVCVA. "We are proud to support the Vote Travel campaign and encourage everyone to join the cause."

Ralenkotter, who also serves as the chairman of U.S. Travel, joined Clark County Commissioner and LVCVA Chair Tom Collins, U.S. Travel President & CEO Roger Dow and Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kristin McMillan in staging a rally for the travel industry at Cashman Center today.

"The $1.9 trillion U.S. travel industry supports 14.4 million jobs, and we're taking that message on the road to states and communities across the nation," Dow said. "The men and women who work in the Las Vegas travel industry make a significant impact on the local economy. The Vote Travel campaign wants to tell their story and make sure that elected officials take note of how important travel is in their communities."

In Southern Nevada, the travel industry supports 370,000 jobs and injects more than $40 billion into the local economy each year. Las Vegas projects hosting a record 40 million visitors in 2012.

The Vote Travel bus also made a stop at the world-famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign before continuing its nationwide journey to raise awareness and gather support for the travel and tourism industry in the United States.

Photos and video of the event will be available by clicking here.

ABOUT THE LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 10.6 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever?increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com.

SOURCE Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Hetty Chang of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, [phone], [email protected]

http://www.lvcva.com