RENO, Nev. – Reno Tahoe closed 2025 with strong year-over-year tourism gains, outperforming national hotel trends and reinforcing its growing appeal as a destination for large-scale meetings, sports, and group events, according to data from Visit Reno Tahoe. Momentum will continue into 2026, with two major group events–the American Bus Association‘s 100th anniversary Marketplace meeting and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships–together expected to generate more than 80,000 room nights and over $90 million in economic impact.
“Reno Tahoe continues to demonstrate resilience in a shifting travel landscape,” said Mike Larragueta, President and CEO of Visit Reno Tahoe. “Our accessibility, value, and ability to host large-scale meetings and sporting events position us competitively for continued group growth in 2026—while delivering meaningful economic benefits for our community.”
Visit Reno Tahoe begins 2026 with strong momentum, welcoming two major events that highlight the destination’s growing strength as a host for large-scale meetings and events. The American Bus Association Marketplace will bring 2,800 delegates, generate more than 8,000 room nights, and deliver an estimated $3.8 million in economic impact, marking the association’s 100th anniversary and its westernmost host city to date. From March through July, the USBC Open Championships will further underscore Reno Tahoe’s capacity to host long, high-volume events, generating an estimated 75,800 room nights and $87 million in economic impact.
From July through November 2025, Reno Tahoe recorded year-over-year gains across key tourism indicators compared to the same period in 2024. Taxable room revenue increased 0.9%, visitor counts rose 2.6%, and cash occupied room nights grew 1.1%, reinforcing the destination’s steady year-long performance.
October and November 2025 both posted year-over-year gains compared to the same months in 2024. In October, taxable room revenue rose 4.3% to $38.1 million, cash occupied room nights increased 3.8%, and hotel occupancy climbed to 66.2%, up 2.2 percentage points. In November, tourism sales room nights grew 8.2%, taxable room revenue increased 5.1% to $27.4 million, visitor counts rose 4.4%, and hotel occupancy reached 58.3%, up 6.2%. These gains reflect sustained demand during traditionally softer periods, a key indicator for planners evaluating availability, value, and long-term destination performance.
During the same period, national hotel occupancy declined 2.8% year-over-year in November, following a 2.4% decline in October, underscoring Reno Tahoe’s outperformance relative to broader U.S. travel trends.
“As we head into 2026, our focus remains on building a sustainable, diversified tourism economy by welcoming major group events that benefit both visitors and residents,” said Larragueta. “Strong group and event demand will help ensure long-term stability for our destination.”
Visit Reno Tahoe continues to invest in responsible destination stewardship, targeted marketing during need periods, and infrastructure and experiences that support sustained group and event growth throughout the year. That momentum is reflected across the destination through significant public and private investments, including the Grand Sierra Resort’s new 10,000-seat arena as part of a $1 billion redevelopment, extensive resort room renovations, construction of a new Ground Transportation Center at Reno-Tahoe International Airport as part of the MoreRNO infrastructure improvement project and ongoing downtown revitalization efforts that are expanding capacity, improving accessibility and enhancing the destination’s ability to host large-scale meetings and events with long-term economic impact.
Additional performance data and research reports are available at VisitRenoTahoe.com.
Reno Tahoe is a dynamic, four-season resort destination in a spectacular natural setting – where America’s largest alpine lake meets “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Here, genuine Western heritage and hospitality are served up alongside a region in the midst of an exciting transformation, offering travelers world-class attractions, outdoor adventure, and an annual calendar of cultural, culinary, and sporting events. Reno Tahoe is marketed by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, branded as Visit Reno Tahoe, an organization established in 1959 to promote convention and tourism business in Washoe County, which includes Reno, Sparks, and North Lake Tahoe. For more information, go to www.VisitRenoTahoe.com.
