Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 - (Page 44)

DESTINATIONS L AS VEGAS GAMING Vegas visitors are spending a lot outside the casinos too BY JENNIFER MERRITT Beyond WITH EACH UPSCALE PROPERTY THAT OPENS in Las Vegas, the city takes one step closer to living up to its name as the entertainment capital of the world, making it a destination not just for gamblers but also for foodies, theater buffs and spa addicts. In 2006, the most recent year for which data is available, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority found that roughly 60 percent of the city’s cash flow came from non-gaming revenue—a pretty eye-opening figure considering there are at least 30 casinos on The Strip alone. Hoteliers are aware of this trend, ensuring that revamps and new builds focus on such amenities as spas, shopping and fine dining. Wholesalers, meanwhile, are expanding product offerings with luxury hotel packages featuring an array of add-on activities. Funjet Vacations (www.funjet.com) is changing the way it packages travel to Las Vegas after examining the media habits and purchasing patterns of visitors to the city. “More than half of the money spent in Vegas is going to restaurants, clubs, shopping and entertainment, and though we’ve always had those add-ons, what we’re seeing now is increased demand for them,” says Mike Going, chief marketing officer of Funjet, which has distributed Vegas product since its inception. “Visitors are pre-purchasing things like shows and spa or golf packages for girls’ and guys’ getaways or pre- and postwedding activities.” Travel Impressions (www.travimp.com) has seen an increased interest in Las Vegas dining, as such well-known chefs as Mario Batali launch restaurants and celebrity hotspots like Koi open in various hotels. Batali just opened B&B Ristorante at The Palazzo (www. palazzolasvegas.com), an extension of The Venetian. Koi recently made its debut at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino (www.planet hollywoodresort.com). “We’ve seen a large growth in dining, shopping and shows, so we look for offers that include spa treatments, or maybe some type of an upgrade,” says Sallie Rawlings, spokesperson for Travel Impressions. “We’re always keeping our eye on the new luxury products. The whole destination is so product-oriented.” That’s a point Funjet’s Going believes agents often forget. “LVCVA stats will tell you that total visitor traffic is much less agent-dependent than it was five years ago,” he says. “Some of that A classic Venice experience at The Venetian 44 | TravelAgent December 24, 2007 http://www.funjet.com http://www.travimp.com http://www.palazzolasvegas.com http://www.palazzolasvegas.com http://www.planethollywoodresort.com http://www.planethollywoodresort.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - December 24, 2007

Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor Letters to the Editor Contributors Europe: Lyon, the Center of France Two Iconic London Hotels Jazz Up their Top Suites Europe Briefs Mexico: Puerto Morelos on the Riviera Maya Mexico News & Notes Pacific/Asia: Large-Scale Developments Strengthen Singapore’s Appeal to Families, Meetings and Other Travelers Caribbean: Old San Juan’s New Hotel The Cervantes Ritz-Carlton Upgrades, La Concha Reopens in San Juan Peter Island Resort Hawaii: Maui Enhances its Allure for Active and Luxury Clients Las Vegas: Hoteliers and Wholesalers Go Beyond Gaming Las Vegas Briefs Tours: Pacific Northwest Briefs Hotels: News and Packages from All-Inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean Cruises: Luxury Lines’ Shore Excursions Cover Story: Gerry Cahill Agent Profile: Nancy Nicol, Hawaii Specialist and Hyatt Award Winner Technology: Mailpound’s Customized Marketing Transportation: Boeing’s Anticipated Next Arrival: the 747-8 Intercontinental New York: The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Travel Week Sofitel’s Two New Brands Travelport Rolls Out Leisure Product Expedia CruiseShipCenters Debuts U.S. Tourism to Israel In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch Special Supplememt: 2008 Portugal Travel Guide

Travel Agent - December 24, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.