Stratosphere Tower welcomes 40 millionth visitor

23 April 2014

By Howard Stutz

LAS VEGAS -- The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower welcomed its 40 millionth visitor Monday and the guest turned out to be a British tourist making his first ever trip to Las Vegas.

Just after 10:30 a.m., James Kennedy of Birmingham, England, was greeted by Stratosphere General Manager Paul Hobson at the entrance to the 1,149-foot-tall tower with balloons, an entourage of Stratosphere employees and cameras.

Hobson presented Kennedy with a Stay & Play Getaway at the hotel-casino valued at $2,500.

The Stratosphere opened in April 1996, providing visitors with a panoramic view from the tallest freestanding observation tower in the country. The Tower is the tallest structure in Las Vegas and the tallest building West of the Mississippi River.