Lack Of Las Vegas Visitors?

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This was a recent "Letter To The Editor" of the Access Vegas Insider Vibe:

My wife and I just returned home from our Vegas trip (6 nights/5 days). We stayed for the first time at the Paris (2 nights) and then 4 nights downtown at Main Street Station. The biggest change we noticed was the lack of people. I know it was the 4th of July week, but the 'people' traffic was much less than before. We asked a floor person at MSS about traffic and she too said the size of the crowds were much smaller than they use to be. My guess as well as hers was, 'all about the cost of gas'.

I think the casinos are helping their bottom line by making slots much tighter, just as the airlines are charging for suitcases and giving less service. It may be time to re-think our Vegas trips. Enjoy your weekly publication.

The Kinneys,

Pleasant Garden, NC

AccessVegas.com Managing Editor Ted Newkirk responds:

I agree with you: The gaming properties tried to squeeze tourists too hard during the good times, and it is biting them back during the bad times.

For decades, people would go through hell and high water to get to Las Vegas regardless of the economy. They knew the reward would be reasonably priced rooms and food, plus a fair chance at winning some money.

It is a rude awakening for many in hotel/casino management, many whom have never been here long enough to see a downturn and thought the "gravy train" of the past few years was the norm.

My prediction? Everyone will finally see a return to some of the "old Vegas" way of doing things that attracted so many for so long.

Per July 4'th, it is my opinion that the LVCVA (Visitors Authority) completely botched marketing July 4. Americans see it as a holiday to grill with some friends and watch their local fireworks. If a New Years Eve style fireworks "Tribute To America" kind of show had been set up for The Strip and well-promoted, I'd think we would have had full rooms despite the traditional "backyard grilling" nature of the holiday.

This for a couple of reasons:

1. New Years Eve here is legendary, but ultra-expensive with the highest room rates of the year. Give people a chance to experience a sample of it in July and the word-of-mouth (and desire for a return visit) would have been off the charts. I don't mean a complete "shut down the street" situation like New Years Eve. Simply a coordinated fireworks show well promoted.

2. International visitors would have been drawn to town to experience a "real" American 4'th of July. This could have been marketed to those visitors whose currency is much stronger than ours.

Thanks for taking the time to write and thanks for reading!

Ted Newkirk CEO, Managing Editor AccessVegas.com

Posted by Access Vegas staff

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