RSCVA: Washoe County recorded best-ever April for taxable room revenue

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority on June 3 released updated transient lodging and room tax statistics, showing that in April 2021, Taxable Room Revenue, which came in at $32,402,436, was the highest ever recorded for the month of April.

Due to the March 2020 pandemic shutdown of Reno Tahoe’s major casino hotels, the RSCVA is putting more emphasis on statistical comparisons to 2019, according to a June 3 press release.

In April 2021, Taxable Room Revenue in Washoe County was up 0.5%, compared to $32,226,425 in April 2019. Meanwhile, Cash Occupied Rooms were down 11.4%, from 275,513 to 243,986 over that same time period, and Average Daily Rates increased 13.5%, from $116.97 to $132.80.

“Tourism Economics is reporting that total travel spend in the U.S. was down 24% in April 2021 compared to April 2019,” according to the release.

“The April data is in alignment with national studies showing pent-up travel demand, and consumer sentiment suggests that Reno Tahoe has the outdoor amenities and active nightlife that travelers are craving right now,” RSCVA President and CEO Charles Harris said in a statement. “As of June 1, the State of Nevada is open for business with minimal restrictions and, while recent history tells us to expect the unexpected, all indicators are shining a very positive light on the remainder of 2021.”

Looking at the first four months of 2021, from January through April, Taxable Room Revenue was down 10.4%, from $116,127,898 to $103,994,689, compared to the most-recent, pre-pandemic data from 2019.

For that same time period, Cash Occupied Rooms are down 18.8%, 1,032,627 to 838,220; and Average Daily Rates increased 10.3%, from $112.46 to $124.07.

Meanwhile, here are statistics compared to 2020, according to RSCVA:

• In April 2021, Taxable Room Revenue in Washoe County was up 827.8%, from $3,492,216 to $32,402,436; Cash Occupied Rooms were up 388.7%, from 49,924 to 243,986; and Average Daily Rates increased 89.9%, from $69.95 to $132.80.
• Through the first four months of 2021, Taxable Room Revenue was up 37.8%, from $75,469,670 to $103,994,689; Cash Occupied Rooms were up 22.4%, 684,773 to 838,220; and Average Daily Rates increased 12.6%, from $110.21 to $124.07.