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More Visitors Flying into Reno-Sparks

RENO, Nevada -- More people visited the Reno-Sparks area for the first time in 2003 than the year before and more of them flew in, according to a visitor profile.

But fewer came by car and their median age increased, contrary to the market's tradition as a drive-in destination from Northern California and marketers' preference for a younger crowd.

The statistics come from a survey conducted by InfoSearch International for the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority.

Deanna Ashby, the authority's executive director of marketing, said the increase in first-time visitors from 15 percent in 2002 to 22 percent in 2003 indicates the economy has improved and people are traveling again.

The number of visitors arriving by car dropped from 70 percent in 2002 to 60 percent in 2003.

"It's definitely worrisome for us," said Jack Fisher, general manager of the Boomtown Casino and Hotel in Verdi, two miles east of the state line on Interstate 80.

"That's the part where we get hit the hardest, with the day trippers. Air traffic is very, very minimal for our business here."

In 2002, 59 percent of visitors were from California. In 2003, Californians made up 44 percent of those surveyed. The percentage of Bay Area visitors slipped from 27 percent in 2002 to 17 percent in last year.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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