MVRP Brings Tourism Execs To Community For Local Tour

Moapa Valley Revitalization Project (MVRP) hosted the Las Vegas Territories Familiarization Tour (FAM) to Moapa Valley earlier this month on Wednesday, June 12.

Criss Angel opened his restaurant Cablp where 12 out-of-state tourism businesses enjoyed a private lunch and presentation by MVRP President Mary Kaye Washburn and Tourism Marketing Director Deborah Bagley. The two local women educated the group on the attractions, events, and accommodations available in the local community and its surrounding areas.

The FAM tour was organized by Business Manager Earl Jobson of Las Vegas Territory. The group toured the Valley of Fire State Park and paid a visit to the Lost City Museum.

MVRP invited the group to network with local business-owners. They were each given packets with travel guides, local business cards, maps, links to the MVRP YouTube channel. Each tour member also received local red dirt t-shirts with the words “Come Play in Our Dirt” printed on the front.

Members of the group were genuinely surprised at the varied of attractions found in the Moapa Valley area. Many said that they enjoyed the tour and the food.

Jobson stated that he would like to collaborate with MVRP on about three more FAM tours to Moapa Valley this year with tour businesses from out of state.

The groundwork for this relationship was set after MVRP members attended the 2023 Rural Round Up by Nevada Division of Tourism which was held in Mesquite in April. It was the first Rural Roundup held since Covid’s negative impacts on the tourism industry.

While attending workshops and special guest speakers at the roundup, Washburn, and Bagley; along with fellow MVRP member Renae Deardon; were able to network with supportive tourism partners.

The Nevada tourism industry is focusing on rural communities as day trips from large city destinations. The day tours extend vacation days and help revitalize small Nevada towns.

After the Round Up, MVRP was invited to speak at the LV Territories meeting held in Las Vegas in May. That event included local tour companies.

Bagley gave a presentation at the event outlining the history and attractions of Moapa Valley with the highlight being MVRP’s YouTube videos shown on a big screen. These were entitled “Discover Moapa Valley, Nevada!” and “A gem in the desert – Moapa Valley, Nevada.”

These promotional videos were created through MVRP with grant funding from the Nevada Division of Tourism.

MVRP has also recently received an additional $30,000 grant for fiscal year 2023-2024 from the Nevada Division of Tourism. These funds will be used to attend and present Moapa Valley as a tourism destination on tourism promotional tours to other regions, states, and countries, and will also be used to create promotional materials for these events.

MVRP is looking for local individuals and businesses who are interested in helping to improve the community’s economic vitality and in collaborating with our tourism goals. If you are interested in becoming a member, please reach out to Mary Kaye Washburn at marykaye@themvrp.org.