Editorial: Survey takes pulse of business leaders

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999 | 9:33 a.m.

The success of our tourist-based economy has become something of a double-edged sword, at least when it comes to the attitudes that business executives outside of Nevada have regarding this state. As the Sun's Grace Leong reported Friday, of 85 executives answering a survey, 78 percent said Nevada is more a tourist destination than a business location.

The survey paid for by the Nevada Development Authority, Commission on Economic Development and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada also found that just 29 percent knew that the state's gaming and hotel employment base is only 25 percent of Nevada's total. While state officials are correct that just one in four jobs are directly tied to tourism, the fact remains that it is the engine driving our economy. In addition, the marketing blitz on tourism's behalf done by the casinos -- and even local and state governments -- has contributed to the impression that tourism is a Leviathan here.

The report wasn't all negative, though, as Nevada got good reviews in other important areas, such as low taxes. Still, it is obvious that economic development officials have their work cut out for them. While better marketing will aid diversification, Nevada also will have to work harder at improving the product it wants to sell, whether it is offering a skilled labor force or improving its educational system.