This upcoming Memorial Day weekend could mark the start of a strong summer of tourism in Las Vegas.
The holiday marks the first major travel event since mass vaccination began in the US industry. Observers expect strong visitor demand over the three-day weekend – a stark contrast to last year’s Memorial Day, when casinos across the state were still closed.
“As capacities continue to grow, this year’s Memorial Day could be one of the best the city has seen in a while,” said Brendan Bussmann of consulting firm Global Market Advisors.
Attract visitors
The commemoration weekend ends just before June 1, the target date set by Governor Steve Sisolak for Nevada companies to shut down capacity and meet social distancing restrictions.
Even so, the majority of the strip casinos have already been allowed to operate at full capacity after showing the Nevada Gaming Control Board that they have taken “measurable and material steps” to vaccinate the workforce, visitors and the community . Other nongaming venues on the premises – including restaurants and pools – continue to operate under an 80 percent capacity limit.
Working under higher occupancy limits should give customers “a feeling of comfort and ease,” said game consultant Debi Nutton. It “makes customers feel like we are really doing our part in Las Vegas to make them comfortable and safe,” she added.
Many local hotel casinos also withdrew mask mandates for vaccinated guests last week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidelines to say vaccinated people can go without masks indoors and outdoors.
The new moves come at a time when Las Vegas casinos are seeing a surge in interest among vacationers. These new measures could increase demand even further, said Bussmann.
“The lifting of the mask mandate for vaccinated guests and workers further confirms that Las Vegas is open for business again,” he said. “While we still have a long way to go, things are going in the right direction.”
The room prices reflect the increasing demand
Some room rates are already showing increased demand on the Strip for the three-day weekend.
For example, according to Hotels.com, the Mirage will charge $ 649 per room on May 29, Memorial Day Saturday weekend. That’s more than three times the starting price of $ 199 for a room next Saturday.
Bally’s prices jump 79 percent to $ 349 over the same period, while prices at The Orleans nearly doubled from $ 189 to $ 369, according to Hotels.com. Websites for some real estate, including Circa and Aria, showrooms on the night of May 29, were unavailable as of Monday.
“I expect virtually every space that is made available will be filled,” said Alan Feldman, a distinguished contributor to the UNLV’s International Gaming Institute.
According to Nutton, operators see “very, very high” demand for Memorial Day weekends. Some resorts are over 90 percent full.
By comparison, the average weekend occupancy in March was 78 percent, according to the latest monthly report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
The growing demand over the weekend is reflected in previous statements from resort companies. Earlier this month, the management of Caesars Entertainment Inc. announced that all weekend rooms will be sold out for the foreseeable future.
“Vegas is feeling like Vegas again,” said Nehme E. Abouzeid, president of consulting firm LaunchVegas. “You see operators filling positions, forwarding booking numbers solidly, and conventions beginning to announce returns. These are positive signs. “
Amanda Belarmino, assistant professor at UNLV College of Hospitality, said the weekend is a good time for Las Vegas to show off their skills to travelers who previously had concerns about moving outside their homes.
“I think Las Vegas will see high occupancy and demand,” she said. “The decisive factor this weekend, however, is how well we look after our guests. A successful weekend in terms of customer satisfaction is possibly the best marketing we could ever ask for right now. “
Growth on the way into summer
According to industry observers, the pent-up demand is expected to continue into the summer.
Abouzeid said new resorts such as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Circa and Resorts World, slated to open on June 24th, will generate interest among visitors, along with the return of more entertainment and events.
“Vegas can get rolling again with all of the things that make it an unbeatable destination,” he said. “I expect it will stay that way all summer, and July 4th is tough too.”
Bussmann expects that the pent-up demand will continue to drive the upswing in Las Vegas.
“Memorial Day will mark the start of a strong summer for the destination,” he said.
Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter.
