Nevada setting up Korean tourism office

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1998 | 12:02 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- Despite some objections, the Legislative Interim Finance Committee Monday allowed $30,000 to be spent to establish a tourism office in Seoul, Korea, to lure more Asian visitors to Las Vegas.

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, said, "When we're down in revenue that's when you invest. It seems we're doing the right thing."

The state Tourism Commission will join with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to open the office and the state will chip in $100,000 a year to operate it. With the opening of new major resorts in Las Vegas, efforts are being made to boost tourism to fill the room.

Assembly Speaker Joe Dini said that one high roller from Korea could lose $2 million in baccarat that would justify the cost. There's the possibility, he said of an added 1,000 couples coming to Nevada. Besides gambling they spend money in high class shops in Las Vegas.

The only no vote was cast by Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, who said the military believe the next threat is from Korea and China. "I know I'm a little spooky what happened years ago," he said, referring to the Korean War.

Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, pointed out the office is in Seoul in South Korea.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, initially objected, saying the real issue is the lack of flights from foreign markets. "We ought to look at the airlines," she said. If the flights are not available, there's little sense in setting up a tourism office.

"This may sound like a good idea but let's put some thought into it," she said, adding there should be more planning.

Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, didn't object to the tourism office but said this could wait until February when the Legislature meets so there could be a full review.

All of the officials from the state Tourism Commission were in Las Vegas attending the Governor's Tourism Conference. State Budget Director Perry Comeaux, pitch hitting for them, said predictions are that Korea will have the fourth largest international economy in the near future. The state has similar tourism offices in Japan and Great Britain.

Tourism Director Tom Tait, in a memo to Comeaux's office, said the Japan office cannot service the South Korean marketplace effectively.

"Although relations between the countries have improved during the past 50 years, there are vestigial and potent feelings of unease, which have proven to be pervasive at this country (Korea) of 45 million people (with a mean family income of $59,800 ...)"

The Korean office, Tait said would be a link to the rest of Asia.