Tourists up, gamblers down this weekend.

IluvVegas · #1 09-04-2010, 02:07 AM

It is said that there are expected to be 290,000 tourists in Vegas for this weekend holiday and that many more than usual will be driving to get there.

It is also expected that about $161M will be spent this weekend in Vegas but that figure does not include what will be spent on gambling.

The savings tourists will make on hotel rooms, will offset the higher prices of flying. But, with the cost of gasoline coming down, driving there could be the cheapest way to go.

vegasrocks · #2 09-07-2010, 01:53 AM

I wonder how long it will be before gas goes way up due to the two major oil leaks in the ocean. For now though, driving is a great option. I wouldn't want to drive it from where I live in Ohio though. That would be a long adventure!

IluvVegas · #3 09-07-2010, 04:49 PM

Oh contraire lol. You would just love the drive to Vegas. Theres so much to see. And the scenery going out there is just simply beautiful. Especially in the Rocky Mountains.

We have made this drive many times and each time I see something that I missed the time before.

And, gas prices are supposed to keep dropping so dont let that deter you from the chance of a lifetime.

WhatHappensInVegas · #4 09-07-2010, 05:16 PM

A friend of mine and his wife took advantage of the Labor Day specials and had a really great time (thank you, Facebook, for allowing them to post hour-by-hour coverage to the rest of us). This was the first time he went with his wife (normally it's with all the college buddies), so it was a completely different experience for him. Looks like he wasn't alone when he was gambling less and taking in more of the shows.

If Vegas is going to survive the recession, promoting to the non-gambling crowd is a smart thing to do. So many people would be turned off by all the money being "wasted", but with all of the exceptional shows and entertainment packages available now, there really is something for everybody.

vegasrocks · #5 09-08-2010, 12:17 AM

You are so right. They cannot go wrong by promoting asll of the other aspects of Las Vegas.

As for driving out to Vegas. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to hang. I have ridden across the United States before- once. Never will I do it again. I cannot stand being confined and cooped up in a vehicle. The ride was horribly long!

WhatHappensInVegas · #6 09-08-2010, 04:19 PM

For a trip like that you either need something extremely comfortable like, gulp, a minivan or extremely open, like a motorcycle or a Jeep Wrangler. There's nothing like seeing the country with the top down and a hat glued on.

VegasLuvsMe · #7 09-08-2010, 06:54 PM

I wouldn't mind a drive to Las Vegas if it wasn't so far away from me. Like some 2100+ miles.

It would cost me over $500 round trip, to Vegas and back, by myself, and another 25%+ on top of that when the wife comes with me.

I would have to plan on using at least $2000+ for the trip over to Vegas, gambling, hotel, eating, gas, and the trip back (that would mean being thrifty). Not including any emergency that may arrise along the journey.

That's why we prefer to fly to Las Vegas, where our travel costs are nearly cut in half.