Tourism - VEGAS INC

Las Vegas according to three governors: The fall of the mob, a land of prostitutes and potential terrorism risks

Former Nevada Governors Robert List, center, Richard Bryan, left, and Bob Miller participate in a panel discussion at the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas Wednesday, April 25, 2013.

More than 150 people jammed a courtroom in the Mob Museum to hear former Govs. Bob List, Richard Bryan and Bob Miller recollect about Las Vegas' history. The presentation was part of the Mob Museum’s Courtroom Conversation series. The event was punctuated by a book signing by Miller, whose “Son of a Gambling Man” went on sale earlier this month.

27 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

Ever get the feeling the Las Vegas cab industry is long-hauling regulators?

Taxis are seen queued up at McCarran International Airport on Friday, March 22, 2013.

Welcome to Las Vegas. Now I’m going to steal $10 from you. That’s the message we’re sending to thousands of tourists every year who get in a cab at McCarran International Airport and are taken to their hotel the long way. At least when the hotels take the tourists’ money, it’s based on a bet whose odds are well known. But the cabbies are just flat-out stealing, and our political system is so inept that it refuses or is unable to act.

24 April 2013

By J. Patrick Coolican

Virgin America's Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas flight isn't the fastest one Sir Richard Branson will see this week

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, speaks during a news conference to celebrate the new Virgin America service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas after the arrival of the inaugural flight at McCarran International Airport Monday, April 22, 2013.

Virgin America doesn’t do anything halfway when it comes to promoting new service and amenities, and Monday’s launch of three daily flights between Los Angeles and Las Vegas was no exception. Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson is no stranger to Las Vegas. He’s known worldwide as an adventurer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, and on Monday, he took six questions from the Sun.

23 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

A lift for international tourism

If you merge one company named American with another named US, you might expect something really big for the United States. But for Las Vegas, the imminent merger between American Airlines and US Airways likely will have more international implications than domestic ones.

22 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

State slogan not a smash hit

With memories of the “What happens here, stays here” campaign fresh in people’s minds, many in the community waited with anticipation for the Nevada Tourism Commission’s new brand and catchphrase, which cost millions of dollars and has been in development for close to two years.

15 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

Despite criticism, state tourism officials hope new slogan will boost business

The director of the state Tourism Commission said that while many critics have pounced on Nevada's new tagline, she's confident the slogan will be embraced by residents and help attract tourists and businesses to the state.

13 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

Sushi and small plates: Two local resorts in running for best hotel food in US

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa prepares fresh salmon for poaching at the new Nobu Restaurant at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Friday, February 1, 2013.

The foodies have spoken, and two Las Vegas hotels have been nominated by Bon Appétit to compete for a spot on the magazine’s list of “10 Best Food Lover’s Hotels.” The Cosmopolitan and Caesars Palace made the cut, joining a list of 40 hotels across the country.

12 April 2013

By Ed Komenda

Second downtown hotel in as many days stops taking reservations

Las Vegas Club in downtown Las Vegas on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

If you want a room at the Las Vegas Club next month, you’re out of luck. The downtown haunt is closing its more than 400 guest rooms. “Guest rooms at the property were only available for reservations on the weekends,” said Jonathan Jossel, director of Las Vegas properties for Tamares Real Estate, owner of the Las Vegas Club. “However, at this time, we will no longer be accepting any reservations for guest rooms.”

11 April 2013

By Ed Komenda

Add $5 a night to your bill: The Venetian and Palazzo up their resort fees

No, you can't rent jet skis to navigate the waters of the Venetian's Grand Canal.

The reign of the resort fee continues. This time it’s a change at the Venetian and Palazzo, where resort fees have been upped from $20 to $25 a night. But don’t fret: there’s a way out.

11 April 2013

By Ed Komenda

Joe Downtown: Want a room at the Gold Spike? You might try booking it through Zappos

The Gold Spike casino and hotel, seen from Fourth and Ogden streets, in downtown Las Vegas.

Though Tony Hsieh doesn’t want to get into the casino business, sources say, he and a partnership of downtown investors now hold the note to the Gold Spike. A local commercial real estate developer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that means the Gold Spike’s owners, Siegel Group Nevada Inc., now make loan payments to Hsieh and his partners.

10 April 2013

By Joe Schoenmann

Hot times and wild life: Facebook users offer alternatives to Nevada's new tourism slogan

Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman takes the stage with a martini and showgirls before an event Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. Goodman now acts as the city's ambassador.

Given a chance to suggest an alternative to the state of Nevada’s new tourism slogan, social media users responded as if a $9 million payday were on the line. That’s how much the state spent to develop and advertise its slogan — “A World Within. A State Apart.” — which was unveiled Tuesday.

10 April 2013

By Ric Anderson

Southern Nevada tourism takes a dip in February

Tourists take photos of the Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens Chinese New Year display Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013.

A shorter month and the rotation of some convention and trade shows out of February resulted in a 1.3 percent dip in visitor volume that month, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported today.

10 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

Pop quiz: Test your knowledge of state tourism slogans

How recognizable and memorable are state travel and tourism slogans? Here’s a test.

9 April 2013

By Ric Anderson

A six-word slogan, and the marketing campaign to advertise it, cost Nevada $9 million

Virginia “is for lovers.” Kentucky has “unbridled spirit.” And now, Nevada is “A World Within. A State Apart.” State tourism leaders today unveiled the state's new slogan, which cost close to $9 million and has been almost two years in the making. Officials also debuted the first television commercial to use the branding. The slogan conveys the uniqueness of the state, residents’ independent spirit and the variety of experiences and opportunities Nevada provides, Gov. Brian Sandoval said. The state plans to use the mark on documents from all of its departments.

9 April 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority seeks $270.3 million budget

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority next month will consider a $327.1 million budget package for the 2013-14 fiscal year, including a $270.3 million operating budget.