Las Vegas

Las Vegas Tourism Turns Around

LAS VEGAS -- After decades of struggling to overcome visitors' collective apathy and apprehension, tourism in downtown Las Vegas may have finally turned a corner in 2004.

Last year, approximately 21.3 million visitors, or 57 percent of the valley's nearly 37.4 million guests, said their stay included a stop downtown, preliminary data the Review-Journal obtained Wednesday from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority show.

That's well above the prior year's 18.1 million downtown visitors, or 51 percent of 2003's citywide total of nearly 35.6 million guests tracked by the convention authority.

While those gains did not provide a similar boost in downtown casino play, the apparent surge in visitors is welcome news for a beleaguered area whose tourism industry had in recent years envied the success of rival hotel-casinos on Clark County's nearby Strip, downtown sources said Wednesday.

"There's a renewed confidence in the product," said Joe Schillaci, president and chief executive officer of the Fremont Street Experience. "The things that we did cosmetically make us more appealing. But even more importantly, we really kept the place safe and secure."

Fremont Street Experience, whose four-block-long elevated video canopy has been a downtown staple since December 1995, in June unveiled a $17 million upgrade that brought better pictures and sound to its shows.

The project was partially funded by a $7 million grant from the convention authority, which collects room taxes from visitors to promote additional travel to the city.

Downtown's latest visitor totals were obtained through ongoing convention authority surveys that did not ask whether Fremont Street Experience was what lured travelers to downtown in 2004.

But representatives of several downtown properties said they're convinced improvements to the canopy were the key to the resurgence.

"We've found that people that do come downtown like it," said Don Snyder, president of Boyd Gaming Corp. and chairman of the Fremont Street Experience board. "And that (upgrade) gave people a new reason to come."

Downtown also benefited from Southern Nevada's unprecedented popularity, as evidenced by last year's record 37.4 million visitors.

It also capitalized on the buzz brought on by new projects such as World Market Center and an adjacent outlet mall, and changes in ownership at several downtown casino properties, said Stephen Crystal, whose Barrick Gaming Corp. recently acquired six older hotel-casinos on or near Fremont Street.

Now that the visitors are returning, new resorts will quickly follow, Crystal said.

"The demand is there; the product is not, but I think that's going to be the next wave," said Crystal, Barrick Gaming's president and co-founder.

Barrick is about 10 months away from beginning construction of an expanded Plaza, and redevelopment of the Nevada Hotel and Queen of Hearts sites, Crystal added.

Separately, Vegas.com spokeswoman Pamela Johnston said Wednesday customers of her online booking service have recently expressed more interest in downtown properties, though she could not give specific figures comparing 2003 to last year.

"We sold so little downtown in '03 there really wasn't much to compare to," Johnston said.

Despite drawing more visitors, downtown casinos failed to cash in last year. State gaming revenue figures released last month show casinos there won nearly $663.3 million last year, up just 0.8 percent from the prior year's win of nearly $658 million.

Both Crystal and Schillaci suggested the minor gain could be partially traced to last year's temporary closure of Binion's Horseshoe; the ongoing shutdown of the Castaways on Boulder Highway; and the Golden Nugget's unspectacular attempt to attract high rollers.

Schillaci added his role is bringing more visitors to the area -- getting them to gamble is up to casino operators.

"I look at myself as a gold miner," he said. "I have to do enough due diligence to know that I'm digging for the ore in the right places.

"But I dump the ore on the mall, and those guys have to find the nuggets."

Jake Fuller, a gaming and lodging analyst with San Francisco-based Thomas Weisel Partners, said Wednesday any tourist-dependent area could have worse problems than 3.2 million additional visitors -- even if those added guests were pinching pennies.

"Maybe their budget while they're there has gone down, which could be a function of economic factors or various other things," Fuller said. "But as long as you're still generating the traffic, hopefully you'll be able to increase that budget again."

Boyd Gaming Corp.'s downtown properties -- the California Hotel, Fremont and Main Street Station -- last year reported cash flow of $38.7 million, down 4.4 percent from the prior year's $40.5 million. Snyder said that dip was due to increased jet fuel costs on charter flights to and from Hawaii, a prime feeder for clients of the California Hotel.

Crystal said Barrick's revenue increased by more than 10 percent last year. The privately held company did not disclose specific amounts, however.

Schillaci hopes to post better returns in 2005, when downtown's popular "Vintage Vegas" marketing campaign will have an entire year to reach consumers.

Fremont Street's mall was disrupted by construction early last year, an interruption that won't recur anytime soon, and World Market Center expects to draw about 40,000 people downtown for its first furniture market in July.

Caesars Honored by Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce

17 February 2005
LAS VEGAS -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- In recognition of its continued support for the ethnic communities of Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment (NYSE:CZR) has been named Corporation of the Year by the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce. Caesars Executive Vice President Steven F. Bell will accept the honor at the Asian Chamber of Commerce's Annual Chinese New Year gala on February 18.

"As a major employer in the city of Las Vegas, we know how important it is to take a leading role in promoting opportunity for all members of our community," said Caesars President and Chief Executive Officer Wallace R. Barr. "We are proud of the diversity initiatives we have implemented in the past few years and we are deeply honored to be recognized by the Asian Chamber as the Corporation of the Year," Barr added.

"We are pleased to announce our selection of Caesars Entertainment for the Corporation of the Year Award," said James Yu, president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce. "Caesars' commitment to the economic vitality of our community through its supplier diversity program is to be commended. Caesars' continued support of our chamber and its scholarship foundation has allowed us to provide for the educational goals of local students."

In an effort to make it easier for minority and women-owned businesses to work with the company, Caesars Entertainment last year launched a new website www.caesarsdiversity.com that enables these vendors to communicate quickly and directly with senior Caesars Entertainment procurement officials through a convenient, one-stop process. This is one of many initiatives made by the company in the last few years to increase the participation of minority and women-owned vendors.

'Spa 101 Vegas-Style' at The Ritz-Carlton

HENDERSON, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2005--

Beginner-friendly getaway features luxury resort stay, Spa 101 instruction, first-time sampling of four different spa treatments, and decadent Fresh Baked Malted Waffle breakfast for two, from $289

School was never this fun.

"Going to the spa" has become a major draw for leisure and business travelers, as baby boomers, men of all ages and some Gen Xers and Yers are considering their first spa experience in record numbers. The result? The quantity of spas has doubled to more than 12,000 in just the past five years -- and one's first spa experience is now a talked-about new rite of passage.

Enter Spa Vita di Lago at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, the lakeside destination spa and golf resort located 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip that is ranked among the nation's top ten spas. The 30,000-square-foot spa, salon and fitness/recreation center has created a new overnight package specifically designed to put a first spa experience within reach of anyone wanting to give "spa" a try.

"Spa 101 Vegas-Style" provides Ritz-Carlton accommodations, breakfast for two featuring Fresh Baked Malted Waffles or other gourmet morning selections from award-winning Medici Cafe & Terrace, overnight valet parking and four 25-minute sample spa treatments from among a user-friendly menu of massages, facials, wraps, baths, exfoliations and salon services. The experience is the AAA Five Diamond-rated resort's first-ever spa "combo platter," designed to provide a taste of everything to the hungry new spa-goer.

"Spa 101 Vegas-Style" is created and priced for single or double occupancy, and its four included treatments and services may be enjoyed by one person or split between two guests per room. Upon arrival, guests also will receive their own spa orientation session, where early questions can be asked and addressed discretely and ahead of time. The spa has experienced first-timer questions related to everything from spa attire (and/or lack thereof) to locker room and whirlpool etiquette, from inquiries about when and how to shower or enjoy steam and sauna to how specific treatments actually will feel on the skin. Guests' pre-treatment private orientation is designed to address any of these questions, to put newcomers especially at ease, and to provide a sense of spa well-being from the moment of arrival. The goal is to replace concern with TLC and understanding, to turn the fear of the unknown into anticipation and assured comfort.

Spa 101 Vegas-Style features:

-- $289 per night (resort-view room), single or double occupancy

-- Four 25-minute spa treatments and/or salon services per room, per night

-- Breakfast for two at Medici Cafe & Terrace

-- Complimentary valet parking

-- Resort fee

-- Subject to 10 percent room tax and gratuities

-- Offered Feb. 16-June 30, based on availability

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas features 349 guest rooms and suites, a lakeside location surrounded by golf, shopping and recreational activities, award-winning dining and frequent scheduled shuttle service to the Las Vegas Strip. The resort's Tuscan-inspired Spa Vita di Lago offers 24 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, fitness and yoga classes and private training sessions, lush meditation garden, expansive men's and women's Healing Water facilities, outdoor treatment terraces, and access to the resort's private waterfall, white sand beach, heated outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool and poolside cafe. Reservations may be made at 800-241-3333 or www.ritzcarlton.com.

Low-fare airline starts service to Las Vegas

With the help of a glittering showgirl and a ticket counter decorated with poker cards, Allegiant Air announced that the Ozarks will soon link directly to Las Vegas.

Starting April 21, Allegiant will offer two weekly flights between the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport and Sin City for an introductory rate of $128 round trip.

That service adds another Western hub to the airport's lineup and, at least for the moment, other airlines' fares to Vegas have dropped as well.

On several travel Web sites, a sale fare of $250 has been offered since Tuesday, when news of the service broke. Regular fare to Vegas is about $350.

But Kris Conley, executive vice president of Great Southern Travel in Springfield, doubts any price adjustments will last because Allegiant will serve only one market on only two days a week.

"But the beauty of it is, it's going to save a lot of people from driving to Tulsa or St. Louis to pick up a charter," he said.

Still, there is always hope, said airport spokeswoman Sherry Wallace. "It may stimulate some fare dropping across the board."

Allegiant's introductory rate is particularly low, but even after that, the fare will probably run $99 each way. Once in Las Vegas, passengers could rent a car or pick up another airline to reach their final destination.

No matter what happens with fares, the simple fact of a Las Vegas connection is causing excitement.

Allegiant has already sold more than 100 tickets. The airport has been inundated with calls, Wallace said.

During the press conference, Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Manley proved his excitement with two of his signature leaps.

Most eye-catching, however, was Porsha Revesz, a bustier-clad showgirl with the feathery headdress. Revesz is an official showgirl from the Las Vegas Tourism Bureau.

Various travelers and airport employees asked to be photographed with her.

David Wolf, 7, couldn't believe she was from Vegas.

"Vegas? She looks like somebody from an exotic island or something," he said.

David was headed to Denver for a family vacation, but the Vegas spectacle sidetracked all four Wolfs on their way to the security checkpoint.

David's mother, Carrie Wolf, was fascinated by Revesz. "I'd never actually seen (a showgirl) and neither had the boys," she said.

David's brother, John Wolf, 6, took advantage of the free cookies.

And David's father, Chris Wolf, decided to immortalize the moment. He herded David over to Revesz for a photo.

"John's too embarrassed," he said. "Oh, what an exciting beginning to a trip!"

Airport officials were excited about overall airport trends, of which the Las Vegas announcement is the latest manifestation.

It was the third new hub for the airport within the past year. Last spring, flights to Cincinnati and Minneapolis were added, and Wallace hopes to announce two other new hubs this year as well.

Wallace also hopes the airport will break the passenger record it set in 2004, a hope January's numbers helped bolster. More than 52,000 people traveled through the airport last month, 20 percent more than in January 2004.

Finally, plans for the new Midfield Terminal are progressing on schedule, with initial groundwork at the site scheduled to start as early as spring of 2006.

"Obviously we're off to a very good start," Wallace said.

$128 round trip

Allegiant Air will fly round trip between Springfield and Las Vegas on Thursdays and Sundays. The three-hour trip will be on an MD-83 jet, which seats about 150 people. An introductory fare of $128 round trip is valid for travel through May 25. The regular fare will start at $99 each way. Taxes and airport fees will be added to those fares. For more information: www.allegiantair.com.

LAS VEGAS ECONOMY: They're goin' to the chapels

Valentine's nuptials bring bucks to wedding businesses

By CHRIS JONES
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Couples wait to register for marriage licenses Friday at the county courthouse in Las Vegas. PHOTO by ISAAC BREKKEN/REVIEW-JOURNAL Brooke Murray and Timothy Ramsey exit the courthouse after obtaining a license. Valentine's Day traditionally means big business for Las Vegas wedding chapels, and marriage halls downtown and on the Strip say they're ready. PHOTO by ISAAC BREKKEN/REVIEW-JOURNAL

It's a mixture as unoriginal as slapping some peanut butter on bread smothered with fresh strawberry jam.

But early next week, a seemingly endless stream of couples will seek a different type of sweet satisfaction by combining Valentine's Day with a Las Vegas wedding.

Downtown chapels and those along the Strip are gearing up for what's traditionally a popular draw for the local tourism industry. Valentine's Day-specific visitor projections are unavailable, but those who earn a living creating husbands and wives are confident they'll be busy today through late Monday evening.

Joni Moss, executive manager of A Special Memory wedding chapel on Fourth Street near Charleston Boulevard, expects to host 95 to 100 weddings Monday. By comparison, the chapel typically performs 40 to 45 weddings on a given Saturday, normally its busiest day of the week.

The vast majority of those Valentine's Day clients will come from other cities, Moss said, to take advantage of Las Vegas' machinelike ability to crank out quick, easy -- and often inexpensive -- weddings.

"We'll start at 8 a.m. and go until 11 that night," she said. "It's so easy (in Nevada). You can walk into the courthouse and get a marriage license, then walk right on over to a chapel and get married for as little as $50."

Monica Bisek, senior assistant manager of the Wedding Chapels at Bellagio, said her chapels are sold out with 12 scheduled Monday weddings. Some couples will travel here from the United Kingdom, she said, adding it's not uncommon to receive Valentine's Day wedding reservations up to two years in advance.

"It's a date that's known for love," explained Bisek, who has worked at chapels at Treasure Island and Bellagio since 1993, excluding a brief hiatus as a full-time mother.

Studies conducted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority show 2 percent to 3 percent of local tourists say their primary reason for traveling here was a wedding. Based on last year's 37.4 million visitor tally, that means anywhere from 750,000 to 1.1 million people came here to tie the knot, or watch a friend or family member do so, in 2004.

The Clark County Clerk's Office said it last year issued a record 128,250 marriage applications, which at $55 apiece, generated more than $7 million in revenue. Marriage Services supervisor Cheryl Vernon said 2,697 of those applications were filed Feb. 12-14, while February itself had a record 11,647 applications. The county does not track whether those applications involved visitors or locals.

In 1998, nearly 2,800 couples waited up to five hours to obtain a license on or around Valentine's Day, Vernon said.

Despite similar number of applicants, wait times have been reduced in recent years through efforts to encourage people to apply early, as well as the deployment of four additional typists during the Valentine's Day period. While low-cost weddings are popular in Las Vegas, they aren't the rule.

MGM Mirage has wedding chapels at Bellagio, MGM Grand and Treasure Island, where Valentine's Day wedding packages range from $650 to $15,000, depending upon the venue and desired amenities. Those costs do not include a reception, or hotel rooms for the newlyweds or their guests.

Bisek said weddings help sell hotel rooms during midweek periods, and prompt pre-event scouting reports from those seeking the perfect location to wed.

"We have customers from all over the world, and they do a lot of preparation. They'll even fly out ahead of time to make sure this is the facility for them," she said.

Previously married couples also join in the day's wedding action, Moss added. "Renewals are big. It's a fun, Vegasy thing to do," she said.

A calendar quirk could keep this year's Valentine's Day from topping last year's record. Presidents Day, and its accompanying three-day weekend, will occur a week later than in 2004, so lovers will this weekend share time with Chinese New Year.

That event has driven up room rates and occupancy at several high-end Las Vegas resorts, though local chapels don't expect many Asian high rollers to marry here this weekend.

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Las Vegas Turns 100

Tu(Feb. 15) -- This year Las Vegas turns 100 and we've come a long way from our beginnings as a railroad town. Over the next several months the city will be honoring our past.

One of the best ways to capture the moment is with pictures. And it's amazing to see some of the old photos of our humble beginnings. David Millman, with the Nevada State Museum, says, "A lot of people have just moved to Las Vegas and they really have no idea of how Las Vegas developed. They just see the massive things out there on the Strip out there and they don't understand that Las Vegas was a town like any other town -- it was a railroad town."

Photos like these prove that Las Vegas truly was a small town at one time. Even the shot of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign taken back in 1958 seems to sit in the middle of the open desert. David Millman adds, "Very small town. Everybody knew everybody. No body locked their doors. Just like any small town, I mean there was 5,000 people here in 1930." And like most small towns Las Vegas was a tight-knit community. "Eldorado started in 1935 when the dam workers left. Hoover Dam was finished and the town was looking around for something to attract people and keep the economy going and they developed this kind of western themed rodeo and parade," Millman said. "There was a lot of community things that people don't think about and so I think it's great to expose people to the real history of Las Vegas and not just the Strip version. "

The 100 years of Las Vegas images won't be unveiled at the museum until Feb. 25. So, you'll have to wait a few more days before you can walk down memory lane. The exhibit will be on display through May 2006 at the Nevada State Museum located at Lorenzi Park.