las vegas
FEATURE 43
LAS VEGAS
WINNING NUMBERS
Las Vegas is no longer a one-trick gambling pony and the rise and rise of visitors is based on the city’s ongoing efforts to widen its appeal to visitors of diverse interests and budgets, says Steve Hartridge
T
he rise and rise of Las Vegas out of the UK market seems unstoppable. In 2012 UK numbers totalled 425,000 (up from
418,000 the previous year) and to satisfy the demand 14 non-stop fl ights now leave London every week. They arrive at the sparkling Terminal Three at McCarran International Airport, a new $2.4 billion facility that is capable of processing up to 2,000 international passengers each hour. Las Vegas has moved beyond its gambling roots and its concerted efforts to add attractions beyond the casinos and night clubs is paying off. “Vegas offers a great range of hotels at price points to suit every wallet from three to fi ve- star level,” said Alice Nevins-Ramessur, Product Development Executive for West Coast North America, Canada & Florida at Virgin Holidays. The iconic Las Vegas Strip is still lined with
fl ashy mega-resorts, but past the fl ashing neon, dazzling lights and water displays, each grand building is a destination unto itself, packed with shops, theatres, Michelin-star restaurants,
nightclubs, world-class spas, oversized swimming pools that look like they have been lifted straight from the tropics – and even live animal exhibits, such as Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. There are also roller coasters and more at Circus Circus, Stratosphere and New York-New York. Perhaps it’s no surprise that a city that stays
awake 24 hours a day also has a unique ability to keep itself on the move – clients who stay away for a couple of years will discover plenty that’s new. Says Heidi Blades, Premier Holidays’ General Manager, USA: “Las Vegas is ever changing; the city is always introducing new hotels and in terms of entertainment there is always something new to see, somewhere new to eat and always a new ‘in’ place to hang out. Sin City it still might be but there is also
now a bumper line up of attractions to tempt those looking to venture outside of the darkened (and timeless) cavernous rooms of slot machines and roulette tables. Popular new attractions of a less hedonistic
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bent include the Mob Museum. Opened in 2012, it presents a surprisingly candid view of the impact organised crime has had on Las Vegas. Also putting the city up in lights is the Neon Museum, which showcases a collection of over 150 vintage signs. And there’s plenty more to come (see ‘What’s New’ below). Adds Blades: “With the world’s fi rst Nobu
Hotel already open, the Delano opening during autumn 2014 and Caesars Entertainment due
“Las Vegas is ever changing; the city is always introducing new hotels and in terms of entertainment there is always something new to see, somewhere new to eat ”
HEIDI BLADES, PREMIER HOLIDAYS’ GENERAL MANAGER, USA
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