Carson City lodging keeps on truckin’ visitors bureau board told

Carson City’s Visitors Bureau is running ahead on revenues and at about the anticipated level of expenditures for the first quarter of Fiscal 2014-15.

Executive Director Joel Dunn reported to the bureau’s board Monday that with 25 percent of the fiscal year over as of Sept. 30, 24.9 percent of the projected annual budget had been spent but 31.9 percent of the projected revenues for the year were on the books. The income was pegged at $477,292 and the outgo at $212,996, according to his budget report, which was approved after a few questions by the board.

The last month for lodging occupancy and revenues, meanwhile, was August and it also reflected positive tracking. For example, August occupancy for the top 13 lodging properties was up 1.96 percent for August compared with the same month in 2013 and 5.37 percent compared with August, 2012.

For the top five properties, the August occupancy increases this year were 4.5 percent and 2.66 percent compared with the same month in 2013 and 2012.

Total revenues for all properties last August topped $1.8 million for the second month in a row, whipping August of 2013 by 13.14 percent and the same month in 2012 by 17.26 percent. The average room rate, at $73.56 in August, was up 11.78 percent from the same month in 2013 and 11.45 percent in August, 2012.

“We’re certainly above the norm right now,” said Dunn. “It’s great to see.”

He also told the board things are looking positive because of the bureau’s move into the downtown. The bureau moved from 2900 S. Carson St. to 716 N. Carson St., just north of the historic Nevada Mint and the State Museum, which is increasing visits to the office and enhancing sales of hats, shirts and other Carson City promotional paraphernalia. Dunn said it will be a great presence for Nevada Day and the annual parade on Nov. 1.

“That new location could not be better for Nevada Day,” he said. “It should be a big selling day for us.”

Dunn said the store will be open that day, except during the parade, and the bureau will have a float in both the Las Vegas parade the day prior and the traditional parade in Carson City.