{"id":43712,"date":"2020-11-19T19:12:19","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T19:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=43712"},"modified":"2020-11-20T17:45:03","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T17:45:03","slug":"how-the-pandemic-changed-vegas-and-what-lies-ahead-for-the-tourism-mecca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/how-the-pandemic-changed-vegas-and-what-lies-ahead-for-the-tourism-mecca\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Pandemic Changed Vegas And What Lies Ahead For The Tourism Mecca"},"content":{"rendered":"
The global coronavirus pandemic has affected business in Las Vegas<\/strong> differently than most cities in the US. Yes, this virus is affecting businesses all over the world but the impact isn\u2019t the same everywhere.<\/p>\n Cities that largely depend on international tourism and business travel<\/strong> like Las Vegas will feel the pain today and for at least the next couple of years. Las Vegas is in a unique position from other US casino markets. This is what makes Las Vegas special but it\u2019s also making recovery a bit slower.<\/p>\n Regional casino operators like Boyd Gaming<\/strong> are already<\/a> bouncing back from closures earlier this year. This is the case with various casino operators that depend on residents within driving distance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Even Las Vegas casinos that depend on local residents are beginning to come back from being closed earlier this year and the current social spacing rules. These types of casinos in Las Vegas and around the country are seeing fewer guests but they\u2019re spending more money per visit.<\/p>\n Station Casinos<\/strong> and some Boyd Gaming properties fall into this category in Las Vegas. Penn National Gaming<\/strong> properties is another regional casino operator with properties around the country.<\/p>\n Many of these properties are institutions of the community. They\u2019re more than just a place to gamble. These properties are local bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and more. They may not offer lavish production shows or world-famous celebrity chefs but they offer a comfortable place for adults and families to spend time.<\/p>\n The casinos on the Vegas Strip are having a more difficult time recovering. According to multiple gaming industry analysts, it will take multiple years before the Vegas Strip is back to what people remember.<\/p>\n In the \u201cLas Vegas: A Post-COVID Landscape\u201d research paper<\/a>, UNLV provost and historian David G. Schwartz<\/strong> said the following:<\/p>\n \u201cLas Vegas is facing a historic crisis, and its response over the next few months will determine the trajectory of the city for years, if not decades.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Even the Nevada Economic Forum<\/strong> is finding it difficult<\/a> to pinpoint how and when Las Vegas will return to pre-coronavirus levels.<\/p>\n During the early November meeting, Moody\u2019s Analytics<\/strong> shared data<\/a> that shows a slow return for the US that will extend into 2022<\/strong>. Further, Las Vegas won\u2019t be able to recover until airlines recover<\/strong>.<\/p>\n According to the most recent Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority<\/strong> (LVCVA) annual Visitor Profile<\/a>, about half of the visitors to Las Vegas travel via airplane. More than 42 million<\/a> visited Las Vegas in 2019.<\/p>\n Approximately 21 million visitors<\/strong> flew to Las Vegas in 2019. Until the world is comfortable flying again and all borders are open, Las Vegas won\u2019t see a return to pre-coronavirus levels.<\/p>\n In recent years, Vegas Strip casinos have put a focus on two different segments<\/strong>. The goal has been to have customers filling hotel rooms and restaurants for all seven days during the week.<\/p>\n During weekdays business travelers<\/strong> would visit for conventions, conferences and meetings. During the weekend the casino corporations used entertainment to draw leisure travelers<\/strong> for entertainment in showrooms, theaters and arenas.<\/p>\n The tactic was working as hotel rooms on the Vegas Strip were filled throughout the week, resulting in a revenue boon. However, social distancing and capacity limits have put an end to the big shows and conferences in Las Vegas this year. What\u2019s open in Las Vegas and the capacity numbers ebb and flow with virus case counts.<\/p>\n Large-scale arena and theater events don\u2019t seem as though they\u2019ll return anytime soon. Caesars<\/strong><\/a> and MGM Resorts<\/strong><\/a> are starting to bring back small scale entertainment. However, shows can only have 250 people<\/strong> at the maximum. This is a far cry from thousands that would typically see a large show or residency. Obviously, revenue from entertainment will be limited until the coronavirus slows down greatly.<\/p>\n Conventions are allowed limited to open for a limited audience which could increase in 2021. However, the largest convention of the year in Las Vegas, the Consumer Electronics Show<\/strong>, won\u2019t<\/em> return until 2022 at the earliest. The largest convention and expo of the year in Las Vegas had more than 175,000 attendees<\/a> in 2019, so losing it is a big blow to the city.<\/p>\n The large crowd for a four-day event is just part of the equation for Las Vegas. Hotel rooms around town are close to capacity for the entire week. Not coincidentally, this week typically has close to the highest hotel room rates each year.<\/p>\n There are casinos all over the US that offer the ability to gamble. Las Vegas is different as the properties offer much more than a room to play slots or table games. Former MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren<\/strong> might have said<\/a> it best with a simple statement:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026without live entertainment, without conventions, Las Vegas is just another hotel town.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nRegional casinos already on the mend<\/h2>\n
A slow return for Las Vegas<\/h2>\n
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Why the Vegas Strip is different<\/h2>\n
Las Vegas is more than just gaming<\/h2>\n
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