PE.com - Tourism Blog

You Aren't Going to Vegas Often Enough

So apparently we Southern Californians are partly to blame for Las Vegas feeling a little down and out economically.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal recently wrote that the city's convention and visitors authority had greenlighted a $12 million marketing campaign dubbed "Vegas Right Now" to appeal to folks who may otherwise look at their bills and think, "now might not be the best time to go to Vegas." Already, the tourist destination that garnered 39.1 visitors last year is seeing a slowdown. In January, the city saw less of almost everything (see the stats here)

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

Research presented during the authority's monthly meeting, however, showed declines in arrivals and departures at McCarran International Airport, decreasing traffic from Southern California and a dip in casino gambling revenue.

Non-stop flight from Ontario to Las Vegas: $98 one way, average.

Cost of the shuttle to and from the airport: $12

What? You want to drive instead? (470 miles roundtrip from Ontario to Las Vegas, average cost of regular gas $3.63 a gallon, I'll be generous and say you get 25 miles to the gallon): $68.24

Gambling money: $100 to more debt than a four-year college education

Hotel room: $100 a night, if you're lucky. (I was indeed lucky recently and traveled to Vegas with my roommate who also is a member of a slew of casino card clubs. Two weekend nights in New York, New York: $80 total)

But when it comes down to it -- what would get you to go to Vegas? And is there really any need to go, what with numerous tribal casinos nearby?

Links:
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Jaunted's take on Vegas' new campaign