Lt. Governor Heading To Asia On 10-Day Trade Mission

A 10-day mission to China to encourage travel to Nevada gets underway Wednesday as Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison leads a delegation of Nevada travel industry professionals. Stops will include Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

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The United States Travel Association estimates by 2021 there will be 5.7 mission Chinese tourists visiting the United States. The USTA said the average spending by Chinese tourists in 2015 - the last year for which the number is available - was $7,201 per visit.

"Nevada continues to safeguard its primary industry by promoting travel and tourism to the Silver State abroad during strategically planned sales missions," Hutchison, who is also chairman of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, said.

"Nevada long has recognized the importance of the China market, and continues to build relationships that will benefit the Chinese traveler and the state of Nevada."

The Chinese market for Nevada tourism has grown consistently since 2004 when Nevada became the first state to be granted a license from the Chinese central government to open a tourism office.

The delegation will meet with government officials in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, travel agents in Shanghai, and finish in Beijing where they will participate in the U.S. Consulate’s Tourism & Food Promotion contest launch.

"Tourism is a pillar of Nevada’s economy — it is our state’s largest export industry," Claudia Vecchio, director of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, said. "It is essential for Nevada to promote its tourism offerings in emerging markets such as China.

"This current sales mission allows Nevada tourism representatives to meet with China’s travel industry professionals and further develop the relationships necessary to continue bolstering travel to Nevada."

This latest outreach to the China market comes on the heels of the 2016 US-China Tourism Year, in which both countries sought to encourage travel and tourism between the United States and China.

Photo Lt. Governor's Office