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Gaming Guru
Visitor numbers see largest fall since 200311 September 2008
Visitor traffic fell 5 percent versus the same month a year ago -- the latest indication of a deepening economic downturn that has yet to hit bottom. Average room rates, which were down 10 percent across Las Vegas in July, a time when room rates are typically low, also have lowered over time. Weekend and midweek occupancy rates, 91 percent and 86 percent, respectively, were each down 5 percentage points in July. Passenger traffic through McCarran International Airport was down 9 percent and average daily auto traffic on Interstate 15 at the California border fell 7 percent. Conventions, which bolster business midweek, have been hit along with tourism business. The number of conventions held in July rose 9 percent from a year ago and attendance was up 1 percent but total room nights occupied by convention-goers, a sign travelers are cutting stays short, fell 9 percent, the visitors authority said. Like the dismal gaming revenue figures released by the Gaming Control Board today, the tourism figures, to some extent, reflect a time when many Americans were paying more than $4 per gallon for gasoline. It's unclear whether visitation numbers are going up again now that gas is cheaper. Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission. Related Links
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