Tourism - VEGAS INC

Big crowds expected for fight, football, Mexican holiday

Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz face off during a news conference at the MGM Grand Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Mayweather will challenge Ortiz for the title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday.

Fall weekends draw big crowds to Las Vegas, but this weekend’s three big events — the UNLV football opener against Hawaii, the Mayweather-Ortiz boxing match and Mexican Independence Day — are driving even better numbers.

17 September 2011

By Delen Goldberg

Las Vegas can't crack top 10 list of best vacation cities

Tourists are seen at the entrance to Planet Hollywood on the Strip Thursday, April 28, 2011.

Las Vegas failed to make the list of the world’s top 10 most vacation-worthy cities in a survey of readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. And it didn’t even make the top 10 in the United States and Canada.

14 September 2011

By Richard N. Velotta

Allegiant Travel among fastest-growing companies in nation

An Allegiant Air jet takes off from McCarran International Airport on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011.

Allegiant Travel Co., parent company of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines, is the 64th fastest-growing company in the nation, according to Fortune magazine.

13 September 2011

By Richard N. Velotta

Las Vegas' 'What happens here, stays here' slogan nominated for advertising Walk of Fame

Las Vegas' iconic "What happens here, stays here" slogan has been nominated as one of the best advertising catchphrases of all time.

12 September 2011

By Delen Goldberg

September 11: Las Vegas, the impact in their own words

This photo by Roberto Robanne, provided in New York by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, shows the impact of one of the airplanes during the World Trade Center attacks in New York, Sept. 11, 2001.

With quiet skies and empty hotel rooms, the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., on Las Vegas was nothing short of fascinating.

12 September 2011

By VEGAS INC Staff

Octavius Tower scheduled to open next year at Caesars Palace

The Octavius tower at Caesars Palace is the newest addition to the hotel-casino, located on the southwest part of the property, seen on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010.

Caesars Palace is quietly putting out the word to its rewards club members that after a two-year delay, its Octavius Tower will be completed by Jan. 2 and that room reservations are being accepted.

9 September 2011

By Delen Goldberg

Police to increase presence this weekend at McCarran, Strip

Greg McCurdy of Metro's Homeland Security division advises anyone who sees suspicious activity in Las Vegas to contact the police. Metro will increase police presence around the city this weekend.

Metro Police said today they are increasing security on the Las Vegas Strip and at McCarran International Airport this weekend as part of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

9 September 2011

By Aida Ahmed

After 30 years, Ethel M celebrates its sweet sameness

Chocolates for sale at Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011.

When billionaire candy tycoon Forrest Mars Sr. retired and moved to Henderson in the late 1970s, the man who invented M&Ms and the Mars bar wanted to make chocolates distinct from the ones that made him a fortune. The man, referred to as a “modern day Willie Wonka” and the “Howard Hughes of candy,” chose a spot near Sunset Road and Mountain Vista Street and opened a gourmet chocolate factory named in honor of his mother.

8 September 2011

By Conor Shine

Oscar Goodman: Would you rather be with showgirls or Snooki?

Former Mayor Oscar Goodman, flanked by his ubiquitous showgirls in this 2010 file photo, bristled at comments by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie critical of Las Vegas and its summer weather. "Who would you rather be with? My showgirls or Snooki?" he said.

When former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was getting ready for his debut as the city’s goodwill ambassador, he didn't know he was going to get a chance to crack wise on New Jersey's governor and his comments that people were “stupid” to visit Las Vegas in the summer.

8 September 2011

By Richard N. Velotta

Canadian carrier WestJet adding flights to Las Vegas

As Las Vegans sweat out the dog days of summer, a Canadian discount air carrier with a major presence at McCarran International Airport is gearing to bring snowbirds to the city with an expanded slate of seasonal flights that began today.

6 September 2011

By Richard N. Velotta

LVCVA expects increase in Las Vegas visitors during holiday

Tourists cross the Strip near Caesars Palace on April 28, 2011.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is projecting visitation to Las Vegas this Labor Day weekend will increase from what turned out to be a disappointing Labor Day in 2010. The LVCVA today projected 291,000 people will visit the nation’s gaming capital this weekend, up 3.6 percent from last year.

31 August 2011

By Steve Green

Economy may affect Labor Day visitation to Las Vegas

Tourists walk past an advertisement for "Peepshow" on the Las Vegas Strip in this April 28, 2011, file photo.

San Diego has overtaken Las Vegas as the No. 1 Labor Day travel destination for Los Angeles-area residents. It’s anybody’s guess as to how that development may affect visitation during the holiday.

29 August 2011

By Steve Green

Truth in advertising: Is the hard sell on 'sin' working, Vegas?

Las Vegas' NC-17 reputation is pitted against the city's PG reality. Does it matter that we're selling a half-truth?

The imagery is everywhere. A billboard advertising Tao Beach at the Venetian features a buxom woman and the promise, “You’ll see a lot of breast stroke. Just not in the pool.”

29 August 2011

By April Corbin

Circus Circus adds 'Halloween' theme to Fright Dome

From left, Jacob Pastorius, 12, Zachary Schlotman, 12, Naisha Nau, 13, and Leah Pastorius, 13, get a scare in the Fright Dome at Circus Circus Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.

Hold your children tight. Michael Myers is coming to the Strip.

24 August 2011

By Delen Goldberg

Circus Circus to house Chuck Jones animation exhibit

The Chuck Jones Experience, a family-friendly interactive exhibit themed after the animator who created Bugs Bunny and other cartoons, will open in October at Circus Circus.

The family-friendly Circus Circus in Las Vegas will soon offer another attraction for kids: an interactive exhibit themed after the animator who created the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote cartoon characters.