Establishing commitment to sustainable tourism activities in the Silver State
Located in the American West, Nevada is a state of contrasts. From the snow-capped mountain peaks of Lake Tahoe and the Ruby Mountains to the stunning desert terrain found in the southern portion of the state, Nevada serves up remarkable views along every bend of the road.
Sustainability Commitment
The Nevada Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It is responsible for promoting and marketing Nevada as a travel destination. As part of these efforts, Travel Nevada provides communities and businesses with development resources, training, and grant assistance that help bolster local economic bases and diversify regional economies.
Travel Nevada’s FY25 Strategic Plan focuses on several key areas to promote responsible tourism and support local communities. Its Destination Development strategy encourages rural communities to assess their unique qualities and develop infrastructure and marketing strategies around these strengths to enhance visitor experiences while improving residents’ quality of life.
Travel Nevada aims to bolster Industry Relations by assisting partner organizations in evolving into Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), 
among other tactics. This transformation is intended to improve the long-term sustainability and stewardship of tourism-related assets. The initiative also includes investing in partnerships with state and federal land management agencies to advance mutual goals related to sustainable tourism and natural resource conservation.
Through its In-State Market Development strategic priority, Travel Nevada encourages residents to engage in in-state travel. This initiative supports local businesses and promotes “buying local” by building partnerships with Nevada businesses beyond traditional tourism products. It also focuses on educating Nevadans about their state’s offerings and fostering resident ambassadorship while promoting responsible and respectful travel practices.
Travel Nevada is also developing and implementing a Destination Stewardship Plan to support its vision to enhance all Nevadans’ quality of life through preserving the state’s cultural heritage. The team is doing this by engaging with top industry experts to develop the plan, which will incorporate destination stewardship and responsible tourism methodologies into both short-term and long-term strategies.
Its International Market Development initiative seeks to increase awareness of Nevada as a vacation destination. By educating international visitors about Nevada’s outdoor recreation opportunities, unique urban experiences, and historic towns, the initiative aims to increase visitor numbers and spending. To accomplish this, Travel Nevada collaborates with international tour operators and engages in international travel trade shows to showcase Nevada’s attractions, emphasizing sustainability and responsible tourism practices.
These initiatives reflect Travel Nevada’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its tourism strategies, ensuring that both residents and visitors contribute positively to the state’s environmental and economic well-being.
“Travel Nevada is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Nevadans while evolving with the tourism industry to ensure that not only our agency, but our partners have the resources and tools to practice sustainable tourism. We are thrilled to be a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to help develop and promote responsible tourism within Nevada’s destinations,” said Rafael Villanueva, CEO, Travel Nevada.
GSTC Welcomes Travel Nevada
“We are pleased to welcome Travel Nevada as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Having committed members like Travel Nevada is crucial in promoting sustainable tourism practices and supporting our mission of establishing and promoting sustainable tourism standards globally. We look forward to working closely with Travel Nevada to advance sustainable tourism practices in Nevada and beyond,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
About Travel Nevada
The Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) operates within the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (DTCA) to help achieve the Governor’s strategic priority of ensuring Nevada is recognized for its world-class destinations, its innovative and business-friendly economic environment, its quality of life, and its efficiently and effectively run state government. In addition to managing state tourism efforts, the Division provides communities and businesses with development resources, training, and grant assistance that help bolster local economic bases and diversify regional economies.
More information here: https://travelnevada.com/
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
