Economy aided by ventures into wild

Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 9:24 a.m.

Environmental protection is more than a cause, it's an economic issue for the Southern Nevada tourism industry, a new study released this month says.

According to the study by the Outdoor Industry Association, almost 8 million visitors to Las Vegas detoured from the resorts and spent an extra $1.5 billion hiking, boating and enjoying natural wonders last year.

The study said those visitors stayed an extra day or two to visit Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon, spending an extra $200 to $322 a day on recreation outside the valley's main attractions. And it says the proposed Black Rock-High Rock wilderness area would add up to $8 million more a year to local economy.

"Protecting these lands is no longer only an environmental issue -- it's a key economic issue for businesses and communities," Tom Adams, executive director of Business for Wilderness, said in a statement.

Many outdoor industries, such as equipment and clothing stores, are small businesses and benefit directly from tourists who venture off the beaten path, the study said.

The study, promoted to protect the outdoors, said urban sprawl is the biggest threat to Southern Nevada's wild areas. The group has founded an outreach program to educate the outdoor recreation industry in protecting the environment, said von Oesen.

Of the 35 million visitors in Las Vegas during 2000 almost 7.9 million, or 22 percent, ventured into the wilderness, said Kevin Bagger, a researcher for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

In its 30-year life, the visitors authority has spread the word about Southern Nevada's wildlands, marketing spokeswoman Jennie Tompkins said.

"It's included in our meeting place book distributed to all tourism organizations and in our visitors centers," Tompkins said. There are visitors centers in Las Vegas, Mesquite, Laughlin, Boulder City and Jean, she said.

More people are interested in day trips to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon, both in Utah, and all within a day's drive of Las Vegas, Tompkins said.