Krolicki has Olympian vision for state tourism

RENO - Nevada's lieutenant governor-elect has international goals for the state's No. 1 industry, including pursuing the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and attracting travelers from China and India.

Facing one of the largest audiences of Nevada tourism professionals, Treasurer Brian Krolicki, said Tuesday at the governor's conference on tourism, that putting Nevada in the running for the winter games will spur economic growth in the future. It has worked in the past.

"The 1960 Olympics helped to put Reno and Tahoe on the map," he said to conference participants at the Silver Legacy Casino Resort. "We want this world-class event to come here again. Some people say it's a long shot. But in tourism, we do long shots. Our efforts next year and thereafter will be seeds sown for a future harvest."

Taking the second highest office in state government, Krolicki will also chair the Nevada Commission on Tourism and the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, organizations that attract and retain businesses and market the state's lucrative tourism industry. He follows Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt into the positions.

Hunt said she is passing on a strong tourism economy that derives $40 billion a year. Tourism officials recently visited India to develop tourism ties. India's middle class is about the size of the U.S. population, 300 million.

Krolicki said the commission will continue its commitment to trade shows, events, friendship agreements and familiarization tours with these visitors, which include Chinese visitors who are already familiar with Nevada.

Carson City, down the hill from Lake Tahoe, could also benefit from the international attention.

Candy Duncan, executive director of the Carson City Convention & Visitors' Bureau, distributed pamphlets at the conference on the Virginia & Truckee Railway, what officials hope to be the region's main draw when it begins operating in 2010.

"We're doing this so people can start to put it all together," she said. "You can ride the existing train in Virginia City and see the (railroad) museum in Carson City. You see how this is all going to connect in the future."

Businessman Dwight Millard said it will take a comprehensive tourism plan, not just a 18-mile railway.

"When the freeway is done and there is a bypass, tourism in Carson City has a job to create Carson as a destination area as opposed to just a place to stay overnight," he said.

Local tourism officials are developing a brand for the area and marketing tactics.

The freeway will connect at South Carson Street at the base of Spooner Summit in 2010.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

Tourism event

The Nevada Passage televised adventure competition developed to promote state attractions and activities will film in Carson City for its third installment. This year, competitors will run a desert 10K at the Valley of Fire State Park, ride all-terrain vehicles at the Amargosa Dunes, cycle between Tonopah and Goldfield and backcountry ski at Mount Rose.

Carson City and Rhyolite will be "destination highlights."

Online auditions, information and rules for the competition are found at www.nevadapassage.com.