Reno-Tahoe International Airport

The existing 2 percent Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which is up for renewal on the June 5, 2012 ballot, has funded a number of North Lake Tahoe public improvement projects and services since voters first authorized it in 1996.

The renewal, called Measure F, is not a tax increase and, if passed, would continue to be paid by lodging guests only via the TOT bed tax when they spend the night in North Lake Tahoe. North Lake Tahoe residents would not be taxed under Measure F.

Travel and ski journalists from national magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs and social media outlets will arrive at South Lake Tahoe next week and be greeted with several feet of fresh snow during the North American Snowsports Journalist Association National Conference.

Beginning in June, two flights will be offered from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to San Jose International Airport via Alaska Airlines.
The new service is also tied to flights to Hawaii from Reno offered through Alaska Airlines.

CARSON CITY – Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., said today he opposes the earmark process used to fund various projects around the country, advocating instead that state priorities for federal support go through a regular budget review.

“The problem with earmarks, when you look at them, it’s symbolic largely, because it’s not that it’s a huge part of the federal budget,” he said. “But a lot of them appear at the end with absolutely no hearings and they are in bills.

Beginning today the Reno-Tahoe International Airport will be undergoing $40 million in renovations, including a ticket lobby with a Lake Tahoe theme. The Gateway Project, which will bring about 275 jobs now through April 2013, features an upgrade to the baggage claim area, creating a first floor single security checkpoint, plus new retail and places to eat.

Plans for air travel, the future of bike trails in the region and other transportation improvement issues will be the subject of a public open house, May 18 from 4-7 p.m., at the Nevada Legislative Building in Carson City.

From a region with a crystal-blue famed lake to a state of 10,000 of them, non-stop daily service to Minneapolis, Minn., from Reno-Tahoe International Airport will begin July 1, airport officials announced today.

Recent indicators show tourism at Lake Tahoe South Shore is improving, according to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

December occupancy was up three percent compared to last year (Smith Travel Research). The No. 1 ski destination in the U.S. (Rand McNally 2011; TripAdvisor 2010) has seen a rise of 1.7 percent through Reno-Tahoe International Airport since July; 14 percent more skiers and snowboarders on the slopes, increased bookings over holiday weekends, and advance reservations for summer.

United Airlines will offer daily non-stop flights to Houston beginning in February, Reno-Tahoe International Airport officials announced Thursday.

“This is tremendous news for the community,” said Krys Bart, president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. “We couldn’t be happier to have the return of this outstanding service that offers travelers the ease of connections not only to the east, but to South America and beyond.”

Southwest Airlines will add a second daily non-stop flight to Denver beginning Feb. 13, Reno-Tahoe International Airport officials announced today.

The Nevada Commission on Tourism has updated its strategic plan for attracting visitors, combining cost-effective new initiatives and time-tested programs with proven track records, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki said Tuesday.

The agency (http://travelnevada.com) will target U.S. consumer markets that have large populations with convenient driving distance or easy air access to Nevada and international markets whose travelers have a strong likelihood of visiting Nevada, such as Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Germany, said Krolicki, Nevada's tourism commission chair.