Posted on: May 25, 2021 at 9:18 am
Last updated: May 25, 2021, 10:45 am.
According to the AAA, Las Vegas is one of the top road and air travel destinations this weekend on Memorial Day. But that could mean a higher ticket price for travelers.
The Las Vegas Strip off Paris can be seen earlier this month. AAA predicts an increase in travel to Southern Nevada this Memorial Day weekend. (Image: Bloomberg)
AAA, the nonprofit American Automobile Association, largely refrained from publishing its vacation travel forecasts in 2020 for the year due to the pandemic. But the travelogues are back for 2021, and with them crowds of travelers.
The association predicts that between May 27 and May 31, more than 37 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home. That’s a 60 percent increase from Memorial Day last year when only 23 million people traveled – the lowest since AAA began documenting the holiday weekend in 2000.
“As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are showing a strong desire to travel on Memorial Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “This pent-up demand will lead to a significant increase in travel on Memorial Day, which is a strong indicator for the summer.”
AAA believes Las Vegas is popular with travelers on Memorial Day. The gaming capital is number 1 among road trip destinations and ranks second for AAA travel bookings.
Car trips
- Las Vegas, Nv.
- Orlando, Fl.
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Denver, Co.
- Nashville, Tn.
AAA travel bookings
- Orlando, Fl.
- Las Vegas, Nv.
- Honolulu, hello.
- Anchorage, Ak.
- Colorado Springs, Co.
Strip, I-15 traffic delays
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and Southern Nevada is close to 100 percent reopening. Casino resorts are free from most of the COVID-19 operating restrictions and therefore Las Vegas is expected to be busy over this three day weekend.
Traffic is expected during Memorial Day weekend, especially on Interstate 15 and the Strip Resort Corridor, ”said Tony Illia, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation. “Although a complete return to historically high visitor numbers is unlikely, the traffic volume at Primm has increased by 170 percent compared to the same period last year.
“And while it is not yet known what additional traffic increases can be expected on this vacation, we encourage drivers to allow for additional travel time and plan accordingly when making travel plans,” added Illia.
Room rates show demand
In the first three months of 2021, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported that hotel occupancy in the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip was still only 42.8 percent. And the average nightly rate is a low $ 102.33.
These prices will not be found this Memorial Day weekend. Those looking to book a last minute trip to the Strip will have to open their wallets.
For a three-night stay Friday through Monday, a standard room at the Wynn Las Vegas is $ 407 per night. Including taxes, fees, and resort fees, the total price for three nights is $ 1,519.
A three-night room at the Venetian is $ 1,494, the Bellagio is $ 1,567, and the Caesars Palace is $ 1,737. More budget-friendly options are Treasure Island ($ 861), Virgin ($ 925), and Flamingo ($ 971).
