FEATURE LAS VEGAS
both domestic and international flights, including those from the UK. The expansion will provide the airport with an overall capacity of more than 53-million passengers a year.
Tourism Talk RAFAEL VILLANUEVA
Director, International Sales, LVCVA “We expect to continue
on with the growth we had in 2011, which was one of our best ever years. For the first six months of this year, the city is full with meetings and corporate groups but the leisure side is also doing well for us. “We feel confident the UK market
will continue to grow. We have a city that is very competitive when it comes to hotel rates; we have a city that has many great attractions and our customers have got used to knowing that when they come to Las Vegas they will find something different and something that is new. Our slogan could
LAS VEGAS Top Selling Tips...
• Sights and sounds... “Recommend that first-timers to Las Vegas take the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon. A range of day trip options are available, along with stays at the Grand Canyon Ranch”
VERITY RICE US Product Manager, Hayes and Jarvis
be ‘renew, refresh, remodel and renovate'. Those will be key words for Las Vegas over the next year."
From The Front Line GARY ORR
Head of Purchasing for North America Virgin Holidays
“We have seen amazing growth in Las Vegas over the past few years, and despite the economic downturn UK travellers are still coming over to Las Vegas for short trips. “Las Vegas is a second or third
holiday break of the year. It appeals to couples, but also we see families booking and there’s been a big growth too in small groups, such as stag or hens, coming across, and also milestone anniversaries. It is firmly established in the UK as a ‘must-visit’ place to do for friends and families. “There have been big changes in
The Strip over the last couple of years, with openings of hotels like Aria, Vdara, Cosmopolitan, etc, and I think a lot of customers who have previously experienced Vegas are returning to see what is new."
JONATHAN COUCH North America Product and Purchasing Manager, Travel 2
“Our Las Vegas business continues to grow year on year and I believe this is due to the fantastic value offered by the city. The hotels are continuing to offer very competitive rates and additional special offers, including free nights, free breakfast and offers on show tickets, etc. “This year we added Planet Hollywood Towers because of its great
34 March 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
value. The property offers two- bedroom apartments, which is great for larger families. “Booking trends have not changed
that much and we continue to see most of the room nights going into higher-end properties. We have also seen an increase in business to the newer Las Vegas hotels like Cosmopolitan, Aria and Vdara. “Four Las Vegas properties also
feature in our new luxury brochure: The Wynn and Encore and The Venetian and Palazzo.”
RICHARD WIMMS Managing Director Vacations to America “We find that most
customers interested in the western USA include Las Vegas in a multi- centre fly-drive holiday or escorted tour. For example, our eight-day escorted ‘America’s Canyonlands’ tour includes accommodation in and visits to some of the country’s most amazing National Parks – Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion – and then culminates in Las Vegas. Customers then usually add four extra nights in Vegas onto the end of their holiday. "Or some of our customers choose to base themselves in Vegas but enjoy day excursions out to, for example, the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.”
CASEY HURFORD USA Product Manager Funway Holidays “Business is looking
extremely positive for 2012 with an increase in late bookings enhancing existing strong sales. Currently, our
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