By Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette Journal
The Reno-Tahoe area recorded a new high for first-quarter taxable room revenue as events and tourism drove increased visits to the region.
Hotels and lodging facilities in the greater Reno area kicked off 2026 by posting $106,790,461 in combined taxable room revenue. The number is up 3.3% from the same period last year and is also the highest recorded for the first quarter, according to the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.
Cash occupied room nights, which represent paid room bookings as opposed to complimentary stays, also saw a 6.5% increase during the fiscal year to date, starting in July 2025.
The data is based on room tax numbers for Washoe County, which include Reno, Sparks and Incline Village in Lake Tahoe. The data does not include Stateline hotel-casinos in Douglas County.
“Tourism continues to be a major economic driver for our community,” said Mike Larragueta, RSCVA president and CEO, in a statement.
“These numbers reflect the strength of our meetings and events business, the appeal of Reno Tahoe as an easy-access destination, and the direct impact visitors have on local hotels, restaurants, shops and small businesses.”
The record revenue coincided with a 1.5% increase in passenger traffic during the same period at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
The RSCVA also pointed to consistent numbers from the region’s drive-in markets such as California throughout the winter, which helped support hotels and attractions in the Reno-Tahoe area.
Notable events include the American Bus Association’s 100th annual Marketplace, held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in January. The event was attended by 2,800 delegates and generated more than 8,000 room nights and about $3.8 million in economic impact, according to the RSCVA.
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships also continues to drive visitation this spring. The bowling events are scheduled through July and are projected to generate 140,000 room nights and about $84 million in economic impact for the region.
The increased visitation in Reno-Tahoe occurred despite economic uncertainty over inflation and elevated costs for consumers for food, housing and transportation.
Fuel costs have also turned into an issue in the last couple of months as hostilities between the United States and Iran have adversely impacted access through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to higher gasoline prices.
The RSCVA, however, expects visitation to remain strong this summer.
“As we head into the summer season, Reno Tahoe is well-positioned to continue building on this momentum,” Larragueta said. “We’re seeing strong demand from both leisure and group travelers, and that translates directly into jobs, business activity and economic opportunity for our region.”
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
