THE HUNT IS ONGOING TO BRING INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO LAS VEGAS

The Nevada Commission on Tourism expanded its international marketing efforts in mid-February
to include outreach to France, Brazil, Australia and South Korea.

Already the Commission has people on the ground in Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental
Europe and China.

The Commission is contracting with representatives who already are working with the Las Vegas Convention
and Visitors Authority, which contracts with 18 overseas offices to help bring international tourists to the city.

International tourism is seen as a growth area because the average international traveler spends about $1,011 per stay and remains in Vegas longer than four days each visit.

Compare that with domestic visitors who average $645 per visit and stay about 3 days. In 2010, 18 percent of
the 37.3 million visitors, some 6.7 million people were international visitors.

A spokesman said, "marketing efforts vary from country to country based on the potential for travel from each and on airline connectivity.

Through its international offices, the travel board is able to promote Las Vegas at major trade shows and travel
industry events overseas.

The Authority he,as organizations in Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Australia,
Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Scandinavia and Ireland.

The authorty's total budget for its international efforts is about $6.5 million.