At FreedomFest in Las Vegas, Nevada Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony told Fox News Digital that “space tourism” could be a future industry for the state, citing Nevada’s open land and a business climate that he says is welcoming to private investment. Anthony framed the idea as a private-sector-led opportunity that could build on the state’s expanding entertainment and visitor economy.
What Anthony said at FreedomFest
Speaking to Fox News Digital at the Liberty-focused conference, Anthony tied his pitch for economic growth to Nevada’s recent gains in sports and entertainment. He said, “One thing that is of interest is space tourism. I think that might be a future here in Nevada because we have a lot of open land where… somebody like Elon Musk can shoot rockets up into outer space.”
Anthony framed the state’s role as enabling rather than directive, telling the outlet the private sector will largely determine which new industries emerge and that state policy should support entrepreneurs and light-touch regulation.
Nevada as a sports and entertainment magnet
Anthony pointed to the rapid expansion of major sporting events in Las Vegas as evidence of how quickly a tourism sector can transform a local economy. He said the market has diversified from gambling to include professional baseball, hockey and football events, concerts and destination entertainment that draw broad visitor interest.
That shift has relied on private investment in venues, hotels and ancillary services as well as local capacity to host large crowds. Anthony credited promoters and business leaders for bringing events to Nevada and urged a similar entrepreneurial approach for exploring new industries, including space-related experiences.
Space tourism: how realistic for Nevada
Anthony described space tourism as a speculative but plausible addition to Nevada’s portfolio. The basic idea depends on three factors: available land for launch or suborbital facilities, private companies willing to invest, and a regulatory environment that can accommodate commercial human spaceflight.
Federal oversight is central. The Federal Aviation Administration and other federal agencies regulate commercial launches and human spaceflight safety standards, range operations and airspace integration. Any Nevada-based operation would need to secure federal licenses and demonstrate compliance with safety and environmental requirements.
Beyond permits, the practical infrastructure demands are significant. Launch and reentry facilities require safety buffers, ground systems, specialized crew and passenger processing areas, emergency response capabilities and transport links to major visitor centers. Those needs mean private firms would likely build and finance most elements if they see a clear market and predictable regulatory pathway.
High-profile entrepreneurs — Anthony cited Elon Musk as an example of the private-sector capabilities that could be involved — have advanced commercial spaceflight elsewhere. But company interest, technical feasibility, insurance and consistent regulation are prerequisites before space tourism becomes a realistic business case for a state.
Economically, proponents argue space tourism could create high-value jobs in hospitality, technical services and transportation, and add a novel experience to Nevada’s tourism mix. Critics and regulators warn development would be slow, capital-intensive and subject to safety and environmental scrutiny.
Anthony background and voter message
Anthony’s remarks came against the backdrop of a long public-service career. He served nearly three decades with Las Vegas Metro Police, was a Las Vegas city councilman and later served on Nevada’s Board of Regents. He frequently frames public safety as community-focused problem solving and emphasizes constituent services as a core part of his record.
He also shared a personal background as the son of immigrants from Cyprus, using that story to underline themes of hard work and self-reliance in his approach to public policy. Anthony has positioned himself as a pro-business, pro-entrepreneur official who favors enabling private investment over direct state control of industry development.
Political stakes ahead of 2026
Anthony serves alongside Gov. Joe Lombardo; the Lombardo/Anthony ticket won statewide office in 2022. Anthony noted national visibility for the ticket, saying President Trump has endorsed related efforts and that national figures can affect the state’s political narrative. He did not offer firm electoral predictions but signaled that endorsements and national attention shape campaign dynamics going into the next statewide cycles.
Source attribution
This report is based on Anthony’s interview with Fox News Digital at FreedomFest in Las Vegas. For the full interview and verbatim remarks, see the original Fox News Digital story: Fox News Digital.
FAQs
What is Nevada doing to attract space tourism?
Anthony said Nevada can offer open land and a business-friendly climate and that the state should support entrepreneurs. Concrete attraction efforts would depend on private investors signaling interest and on securing necessary federal approvals.
Could Elon Musk realistically launch commercial flights from Nevada?
Anthony invoked Elon Musk as an example of private-sector capability, but actual launches would require company interest, site development, FAA authorization and local infrastructure. Anthony described the idea as speculative rather than an active plan.
How would space tourism affect Las Vegas tourism and jobs?
Supporters say it could add high-value visitor experiences and jobs in hospitality, transport and technical services. Real-world effects would hinge on investment scale, the number of flights or experiences offered and regulatory timelines.
