| LAS VEGAS, Feb. 9, 1999 - Completing a strong fourth
quarter, visitor volume to Las Vegas increased 6.7 percent in December
1998 compared with the same period a year ago, according to the Las Vegas
Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). This marks the largest monthly
increase since December 1995. Overall, there was a record number
of visitors to Las Vegas in 1998.
Supported by the widely publicized opening of Bellagio in October 1998,
Las Vegas posted strong visitor volume increases throughout the fall and
winter months: 2.8 percent in September, 4.9 percent in October, 1.7 percent
in November and 6.7 percent in December. Bellagio was the first new resort
to open on the Strip in almost two years.
Throughout 1998, a record 30.6 million people traveled to Las Vegas,
an increase of 140,000 visitors over 1997. In addition, 1998 hotel occupancy
was 90.3 percent, five points higher than the occupancy levels ten years
ago. Total hotel and motel occupancy for December 1998 was up 3.4 percent,
while room inventory increased 3.8 percent during 1998. Las Vegas now boasts
more than 109,000 hotel and motel rooms. Three megaresorts are set to open
on the Strip in 1999, adding another 9,650 rooms. The resorts are: Mandalay
Bay and Four Seasons (opening March 1999), The Venetian (April 1999) and
Paris (September 1999).
The number of passengers traveling to and from McCarran International
Airport was up 5.6 percent in December. Automobile traffic from Southern
California also increased by 4.9 percent. For more information about the
programs and services of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority,
visit www.lasvegas24hours.com. |
