The lights are on, but the crowds are thinning. As Las Vegas tourism falls, prices continue to soar. Is sin city pricing itself out of success? Well, that’s what we’re taking a look at this week in gambling! Falling Vegas visitation is hurting gaming revenue, air travel, hotel occupancy, and more. Why have people stopped visiting? And what are resorts doing to turn things around?
Las Vegas tourism fell for the sixth consecutive month in June, and with it hotel occupancy, air travel and gaming revenue are also in a tailspin. Some say this is due to inflation. Some say it’s from weak consumer confidence, but others believe it’s something much more simple. As tourism takes a nose dive, employee layoffs have hit the Venetian, Palazzo, Rio, Fontainebleau, Resorts World, and several MGM properties up and down the strip. Hell, even Caesars has been forced to restructure staffing levels in recent months. So the question is why… oh, why… has tourism fallen off a cliff?
While it’s easy to blame the economy, maybe people are just getting tired of paying 30 bucks for a freaking bagel and coffee and maybe just, maybe they’re getting sick of being nickeled and dimmed every time they turn around. Resort fees aside, Sin City visitors now have to contend with service charges, processing fees, parking fees, handling fees, even something called the concession and franchise fee, where bars and restaurants just add 5% to your bill for no reason other than the fact that they can get away with it.
Now MGM Resorts are adding to the issues with exorbitant Vegas prices by charging guests $25 just to have room service delivered on a plate. Calling it an operational charge, and none of this, none of this includes tipping or the rising cost of rooms, food and transportation. So perhaps falling Las Vegas tourism is simply because people have finally had enough. However, as tourism falls and profits follow, some resorts are now looking to avoid an economic crash by offering special packages to win back your business.
Special resort packages are being offered to help make your next Las Vegas visit a bit more affordable, and we begin with the all in summer package. From the Circa, where guests can stay two nights for just $400, including all resort fees and taxes. We also mentioned the summer specials at Circus Circus, with 50% off at Venture Dome Wristbands and Carnival Midway games. The D Las Vegas is also running their summer fun hotel sale, which gives guests up to 60% off room choices. Downtown Grand, which has the gambler’s retreat package with $99 rooms during the week, and $125 over the weekend, plus gaming and dining perks with no resort fees.
The Plaza’s all-inclusive room package is just $125 per night, which includes breakfast, dinner, and bottomless drinks with no resort fees. Plus, Venetian and Palazzo are offering guests up to 33% off rooms with dining offers and spa credits. So for those of you who have been waiting for the Las Vegas tourism bubble to burst and prices to start coming down, it looks as if the pendulum may finally be swinging back in our favor. And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in Sin City, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
