Boomtown USA: Las Vegas Glitters and Grows

One of the most fascinating aspects of Las Vegas is that it is a city that is constantly changing. The excitement of continuous re-invention and rapid growth has helped Las Vegas to achieve record-breaking popularity, resulting in nearly 39 million annual visitors. Plus, with more than $30 billion in projects under construction or in planning stages, in 2008, visitors will see and experience more in Las Vegas than ever before.
Recently, The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported the number of visitors grew to 39.2 million in 2007 making it the fourth consecutive year that Las Vegas broke its own records.
Las Vegas also matched its highest occupancy level in history, reaching 90.4 percent for the year, tying its previous record set in 1996. The destination's average occupancy level now stands at 27 percentage points above the national average. "The strength of the Las Vegas brand continues, as reflected by another record year for visitation," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO, LVCVA.
In addition to releasing 2007 visitation statistics, the LVCVA issued a projection that 39.8 million people will visit the destination in 2008, noting more than 9,000 new guest rooms are slated to be added to Las Vegas' hotel inventory this year. Nearly $40 billion in new development is planned or under way between now and 2012, including approximately 40,000 hotel and motel rooms and five million square feet of convention space citywide.

New Accommodations
Las Vegas continues to be a dynamic construction market. Between now and 2010, approximately 38,600 new hotel and motel rooms are planned or already under construction.
In January, The Palazzo celebrated its grand opening. The newest resort by Las Vegas Sands Corporation is located in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. When combined with the neighboring Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center, The Palazzo gives the company the largest hotel and convention complex in the world. The $1.8 billion Palazzo features more than 3,000 all-suite rooms and offers shopping, dining and entertainment on two luxurious levels. The 450,000-square- foot retail space, The Shoppes at The Palazzo(tm) is highlighted by Barneys New York and connected to The Venetian via The Grand Canal Shoppes. It houses approximately 60 high-end and mid-level stores from the most recognizable brands to the hottest newcomers and unique one-of-a-kind boutiques from all over the world.
Aliante Station, the latest resort project by Station Casinos and Greenspun Corporation, topped off the concrete structure of its hotel tower in November 2007. The $675 million project broke ground in late February 2007 in North Las Vegas. The property is scheduled to open late 2008 and will feature 200 hotel rooms; a full array of gaming offerings; six restaurants; a 16-screen Regal Cinemas movie theatre; a 700-seat entertainment showroom and meeting/convention space. Aliante Station is located on about 40 acres at the intersection of the 215 Beltway and Aliante Pkwy. in North Las Vegas.
Palms Place Condo Hotel and Spa broke ground in January 2006 and, after 19 months of construction, continues to be right on schedule for occupancy in early 2008. Palms Place will feature 599 condominium-suites, from spacious studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites and spectacular penthouses. Amid lush gardens, a world-class, 50,000 square-foot pool and spa enclave will boast the first hammam in Las Vegas offering a blend of ancient and contemporary treatments. The building will also feature the SkyTube, a moving walkway that will join the residences with the Palm's casino, restaurants and nightlife.
The Trump International Hotel and Tower is set for opening in April of 2008. True to the brand's form, the property will reflect the "Ultra Luxury Trump Lifestyle" in every possible fashion. The exterior, which will be clad in 24-carat gold glass will rise 64 stories, house 1,232 suites and 50 penthouse suites, a world-class spa, salon and fitness center, gourmet dining at DJT Restaurant and Bar, a pool with private cabanas, indoor meeting space and a business center. Trump will offer a personal attache service for guests.
Luxor has announced a multi-phase enhancement plan slated to take place in several phases, with the first phase encompassing the casino level and the second phase encompassing changes to the property's signature atrium and galleria areas including several retail changes, a re-branded coffee shop and new buffet. The third phase will focus on room remodeling and is planned to begin in 2009. Projects in Phase One of Luxor's evolution include a host of sexy-chic new restaurants, lounges and nightspots, as well as a spa-like poolside lounge, redesigned casino floor and Cirque du Soleil show.

Enhanced Agent Certification
The LVCVA is about to launch an enhanced version of its online certification program for U.S.-based, licensed travel agents. The Las Vegas Travel Trade Certification, or "Vegas Certified" program, is a series of 10 test modules designed to educate travel agents about the destination in order to become "experts" on selling Las Vegas. Once the program is completed, "Vegas Certified" agents are entitled to a variety of benefits and special incentives.
Travel agents who correctly answer and submit all questions in each test module will automatically be entered into monthly drawings for the chance to win $500 gift certificates redeemable at GiftCertificates.com. Two monthly winners will be awarded this prize. "Vegas Certified" agents will be entitled to free show tickets when they visit Las Vegas, a special discount card, half-off and 2-for-1 offers at spas, shops and even on wedding packages.
Visit www.lvcva.com/traveltrade

December 2007 Issue

Mandalay Bay Just Gets Better

By Doug Cooke

If there is one constant in Las Vegas, it is change. The strip keeps growing, Downtown Las Vegas is being redeveloped and of course, new mega hotels continue to be built. At the same time, existing properties are being renovated and upgraded to keep pace with their sexy, new neighbors. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is no exception having recently spent almost $200 million in renovations and upgrades.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
Within the past 12 months, Mandalay has undergone a complete redesign of its guestrooms, all of which are now enhanced with luxurious amenities, high-tech comforts and plush, vibrant decor. Five choices of accommodations are now available including: Deluxe, Spa, Great Room, extra Bedroom and Skyview.
JAX FAX recently stayed in a 500-sq.ft. Deluxe category room that would qualify as a mini-suite in most hotels. Besides floor to ceiling windows providing a fantastic view of the Strip, the room also features two flat screen TV’s (a 42” in the bedroom and 15” in the bathroom), a pillow-top mattress with a plush down comforter and a living room/office space with a desk and seating area that accommodates four.
The bathroom is large by any standard: with a large tub and separate glass-enclosed shower, marble floors, granite countertops and twin vanities. For clients seeking even more luxury, the hotel at Mandalay Bay offers an additional 1,117 suites, the smallest of which is 750 sq.ft.
The Beach on the Strip
Ask anyone familiar with Las Vegas what they know about Mandalay Bay and they are sure to talk about Mandalay Beach. Unlike any other resort pool in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay has created a beach resort in the middle of the desert. With a sandy beach, waves (created by the wave pool), beachfront cabanas and beach concerts, this is an oasis.
More than $30 million was spent in a recent expansion in which more than 1,000 beach chairs and lounges have been added as well as new beach and poolside daybeds with room for six people, canopy shades, televisions, safes and cabana host service. Additionally there are now 10 Beach Bungalows and Cabanas. When clients have a late afternoon or evening flight, these Bungalows are perfect to relax and unwind in before boarding flights for home. The Bungalows feature a sofa and table with chairs for four, 42” flat screen TV, refrigerator stocked with water and soda, private patio area with lounge chairs and drapes that can be drawn for privacy. The Daybeds, Cabanas and Bungalows range in from $100 to $750 per day; advance reservations are required.
Also new to the Beach area is a three-story, glass walled, air-conditioned casino. This addition offers sit-down and counter service dining options in the open air and a full service air-conditioned casino (bathing suits encouraged) on the second level. The third level houses the Villas Soliel, five villas ranging in size from 250 to 500 sq.ft. Each one can accommodates up to 16 guests and has exclusive access to the pool also located on the third floor.
Best Buy
Mandalay Bay is currently offering the Endless Summer package with room rates starting at $129 for a Deluxe room; $179 for a suite or $159 for a room at The Hotel; valid through December and includes dining credits and other discounts.
Call 877-632-7800; www.mandalaybay.com

July 2007 Feature

The Renaissance of Downtown Las Vegas

By Doug Cooke, CTC

Since Steve Wynn opened his first mega-casino hotel here in the late 80’s, “the Strip” has been the focal point of tourism development in Las Vegas. Hotel developers have been fiercely competitive in races for the most rooms, best extravaganzas, restaurants and chefs, biggest pools and, of course, the most lucrative casinos. Theme hotels replaced traditional Vegas landmark properties and tourists came in droves.
During this 20-year period the traditional heart of Las Vegas Tourism, the “downtown” region has been relegated to tired, older hotels and lower-end casinos. The one exception came with the opening of the Freemont Street Experience in the mid 90’s. With its amazing video canopy and pedestrian-only boulevard, it brought tourists in for a few hours but lacked the variety of experiences available on the strip that was needed to fill downtown beds and casinos.

Downtown Vegas Re-awakens
All that has changed with an aggressive, 20-year plan put in place by the City of Las Vegas Office of Business Development. The idea is to return the downtown region to its roots and create a “Vintage Vegas” experience for tourists and residents.
This master plan includes new-builds and renovations of residential and commercial districts as well as the creation of a “cultural corridor” that will feature new museums and an Arts and Entertainment District. Attractions of interest in this area include: the Neon Boneyard – final resting place for many Las Vegas’s neon sign icons, The Mob Museum – featuring a history of the organized crimes’ role in shaping the early years of Vegas tourism, a Children’s Museum and a Natural History Museum. Artisans are also moving into the downtown space where galleries, showrooms and shops are taking over older buildings and returning them to their former glory. Additionally, on the first Friday of each month, local artists and arts-oriented businesses showcase their wares on the sidewalks of this new Arts District.

Where to Stay...Eat and Drink
A cornerstone of the development plan in terms of tourism involves the renovation and expansion of several of the downtown area casino hotels as well as plans for the addition of several new properties. The Golden Nugget (www.goldennugget.com) has just completed a $100-millon renovation and expansion that includes a completely new signature pool area featuring a three-story shark tank as well as waterfalls, waterslide and poolside gaming tables. Other renovations included several new theme restaurants and nightclubs, new lobby and room furnishings, updated casino floor area and updated spa and salon. Other notable hotel happenings include the renovation of Bugsy Siegel’s first Vegas hotel, the El Cortez into an upscale boutique property. Additionally, the Lady Luck hotel and casino has been closed for a year and will soon undergo a major expansion.
The Freemont Street Experience is the hub of downtown Vegas. This five-block, pedestrian-only boulevard with its high-tech, video displaying canopy provides a respite from the fierce summer sun and as well as a home to numerous shops, restaurants and nightclubs. No fewer than 15 new bars and restaurants have opened here in the past two years. The soon to open Freemont East District will add an additional six blocks of pedestrian-friendly expanded sidewalks featuring numerous eating and drinking establishments with neon signs and historic markers all done in retro 50’s Vegas style.

Why Stay Downtown?
Having recently returned from Las Vegas, I was amazed at the changes that are taking place in the downtown area. Admittedly I, like most other visitors to Vegas, have been to the Freemont Street Experience, but spend the lionshare of my time on the strip and in its mega hotels. Downtown offers a completely different experience and one that I believe many of your Vegas loving clients will embrace. First and foremost is that just about everything your clients will want to do or see is within walking distance of the hotels. While your clients will still be able to find 99-cent shrimp cocktails and $5.99 prime rib dinners here, they will also find some of the finest dining venues that can be found anywhere in Las Vegas as well as some of the trendiest nightclubs. Your gaming clients will love the fact that you can still find $3-$5 per hand and single deck blackjack here and your shopaholic clients will go wild in the new outlet center. Finally many of the hotels have been recently renovated and have extremely competitive pricing.

Visit the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority at www.visitlasvegas.com or the Las Vegas Office of Business Development at www.lasvegasnevada.gov.