Travel Nevada hired veteran tourism executive Rafael Villanueva as the organization’s first CEO.
In the new role, Villanueva will direct and supervise all administrative and technical activities of Travel Nevada. This includes implementing the organization’s strategic plans to increase tourism and analyzing the effectiveness of programs and initiatives. He will also help oversee the organization’s marketing, communications and industry development initiatives as well as helping to produce the Nevada Magazine + Visitor Guide.
Villanueva is a lifelong resident of Nevada, having graduated from both Las Vegas High School and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to joining Travel Nevada, he spent 22 years with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), first as senior director of international sales and then as senior director of global development. Following his departure from the LVCVA, Villanueva formed Beyond Global Solutions, a tourism marketing consulting company specializing in the development of strategic domestic and international inbound marketing programs and event management.
“Rafael is a well-known and respected tourism industry leader,” said Brenda Scolari, director of the Nevada Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs. “His global tourism experience and love for Nevada will guide the Division of Tourism to new heights with a fresh perspective on market development, consumer trade, and the overall visitor experience.”
