Governor on mission for tourism

The tour began in Mexico last week with discussions with Allegro Airlines. Miller said the result likely will be chartered flights to Las Vegas from Leon and Guadalajara. The airline currently flies to Las Vegas from Monterrey and Mexico City.

Mexico was the seventh largest international market for Las Vegas in 1997 with 104,000 airline passengers.

In addition to the Mexican airlines, the group met with executives from Aerolineas Argentinas and Argentina and Varig and Vasp airlines in Brazil.

The delegation also discussed Nevada's business climate with government officials in transportation, trade and economic development from each nation.

"South America is a growing market," Gov. Miller said Monday from Ecuador. "It's not established like Europe, but the hotels and airports and LVCVA felt we needed to cultivate this market as well."

Miller got a request from the White House last week to lead a U.S. delegation at inaugural ceremonies Monday for Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahaud.

The governor said the request was an "excellent opportunity for added international exposure for Nevada," making it a four-country trip instead of three.

Latin and South American countries represent some of the largest potential increases for international visitors to Las Vegas, according to the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

A recent marketing research study recommends the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority explore and develop programs in emerging international markets such as Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela.

Between 1997 and 2001, international visitors to the United States are expected to increase 31 percent from Brazil, 29 percent from Argentina and 11 percent from Mexico, the Nevada tourism commission reports.

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