Tourism - VEGAS INC

A suite deal: El Cortez redesign contest, on a budget

Tina Enard of Reno-based Urban Design Studio examines a suite at the El Cortez September 8, 2010.

While posh Las Vegas Strip hotels boast touch-screen remotes and 600-thread-count sheets, the El Cortez mostly leans on its 70-year history and downtown roots. The El Cortez thinks the secret may be in improving the most basic of hotel amenities — the room itself.

27 November 2010

By Amanda Finnegan

With new leaders, a revival of maglev high-speed rail?

We may soon learn how our newly elected officials in Carson City and Washington will side on issues that involve the big pillar of our economy, tourism. For instance, how will Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval come down on the duel between competing high-speed train proposals?

25 November 2010

By Richard N. Velotta

Thanksgiving weekend travel expected to be up more than 10 percent

Despite the struggling economy, 42 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more this long Thanksgiving weekend, an 11.4 percent increase from last year, AAA reports.

24 November 2010

By Kyle B. Hansen

October jobless rate falls to 14.1 percent in Las Vegas

CARSON CITY – The unemployment rate in Las Vegas fell to 14.1 percent in October, the first decline in nearly five years. The state reported there were 134,500 jobless in the Las Vegas area.

22 November 2010

By Cy Ryan

Oil spill one more hurdle for Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coasti

A closed pier under construction on the Gulf Coast near Biloxi, Miss.

It’s a busy Saturday morning at the Waffle House on Beach Boulevard, the main drag along this town on the Gulf of Mexico.

19 November 2010

By Richard N. Velotta

Nevada tourism commission director resigns

Dann Lewis, who has served as director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism since early 2009, has resigned.

15 November 2010

By Richard N. Velotta

Moves should keep McCarran seventh busiest through 2015

Even with a decline in passenger numbers this year, McCarran International Airport is destined to remain the seventh busiest airport in the nation over the next five years.

12 November 2010

By Richard N. Velotta

Las Vegas records 2 percent increase in visitors in September

Las Vegas visitor volume in September increased by 2 percent, according to numbers released today by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

10 November 2010

By Amanda Finnegan

Is economic relief in sight for Las Vegas gaming?

Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn speaks during the opening ceremony at Wynn Macau in 2006. Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands are seeing increases in revenue because of their Asian properties, which are far outstripping business at resorts in Las Vegas and other areas of the United States.

By some measures, the recession-battered Strip has made the turn and is on the road to recovery. Room rates, convention bookings, gambling revenue and visitor traffic have all improved. But don’t release the confetti yet.

7 November 2010

By Liz Benston

Expert: Vegas on right path looking for global partners

If aviation expert Mike Boyd is right about the direction air transport is headed — and he usually is — Las Vegas should be in a good position with its strategy to attract more international flights.

5 November 2010

By Richard N. Velotta

Dina Titus, Joe Heck debate U.S. tourist entry fee

When the Travel Promotion Act was under consideration last year, every member of Nevada’s congressional delegation was on board to get the legislation approved.

29 October 2010

By Richard N. Velotta

Tourism officials seek to make international travel to U.S. easier

One of the most daunting challenges major international destinations like Las Vegas face in attracting overseas tourists is strict visa regulations, tourism officials said during the U.S. Travel Association’s annual conference at Caesars Palace on Tuesday.

27 October 2010

By Amanda Finnegan

Town board recommends against Wayne Newton museum

Wayne Newton’s plan to build a museum and give tours of his home hit its first administrative speed bump on Tuesday when the Paradise Town Advisory Board turned down the entertainer’s application to the county.

27 October 2010

By Dylan Scott

Clark County taxable sales up 3.8 percent in August

CARSON CITY – For the second straight month, taxable sales rose in Clark County in August, sparked by furniture, apparel, bar and restaurant businesses.

26 October 2010

By Cy Ryan

Travel expert: Environmental policies loom as tourism threat

NEW ORLEANS – Seventy-two government agencies have cut their travel budgets because of environmental concerns, a top travel executive said, leading him to conclude that overzealous environmental policy could be the next roadblock facing the tourism industry.