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Fourth of July Tourism: More Visitors Expected

LAS VEGAS -- An estimated 275,000 people could visit Las Vegas from today through Sunday for the holiday weekend. But officials expect those holiday visitors will be keeping a tight grasp on their wallets and pocketbooks.

The Fourth of July visitors are expected to take advantage of the first three-day Fourth of July weekend since 1999.

Convention authority officials are projecting a 2.6 percent improvement from last year's 268,000 reported visitor total. That would also represent a 9.6 percent increase from 2001 when an estimated 251,000 people celebrated a Wednesday Independence Day holiday in Las Vegas, said John Piet, senior research analyst for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

"A true three-day weekend makes it easier for folks to get out of town without taking time off," Piet said. "If July Fourth falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, we'd see less impact" on local tourism activity.

But despite the expected surge in visitor volume, tourists' projected nongaming economic impact over the coming weekend is expected to be down slightly compared with two years ago. This year, visitors are expected to spend $165.8 million on things such as food and drink, shopping and in-town transportation, down slightly from 2001's July Fourth weekend total of $167.9 million.

The average local visitor is expected to spend $638 per trip on nongaming goods and services this year. In summer 2001, that average was closer to $711, visitor profile studies conducted on behalf of the convention authority show.

"Our visitation is up or steady, but the amount folks are spending on nongaming activities ... has not rebounded quite as well," Piet said.

The convention authority did not release an estimated economic impact figure in 2002 because visitor spending patterns were still volatile following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and subsequent economic weakness, Piet said.

While visitors are spending less, increased security measures all but ensure they'll spend more time in line at the airport.

To alleviate anticipated delays for outbound travelers, officials at McCarran International Airport moved up to Tuesday a planned late-July debut of three new security checkpoints to better meet the expected July Fourth travel rush.

Spokeswoman Hilarie Grey said local airlines expect to handle about 100,000 people per day this weekend, well above the airport's normal average of about 60,000 daily travelers. Many locals are also expected to leave town this weekend, which could force travelers leaving behind vehicles to park in overflow areas by late today.

Along with anticipating potential parking delays, Grey also warned travelers to leave their fireworks at home, adding those who violate airport explosives restrictions could be fined as much as $30,000 under federal law.

She also cautioned those who have recently handled fireworks to make sure their hands, luggage or clothing have not picked up any explosive residues that could trigger alarms -- and additional delays -- at security checkpoints.

"If a test comes up positive for residue, (security workers) are going to have to hand-search your bag," Grey said.

AAA Nevada also expects heavy activity on local roadways this weekend despite recent price increases that pushed the average cost of gasoline to $1.73 per gallon in Las Vegas, up 18 cents from the same period a year ago. Still, spokeswoman Lisa Foster said her organization expects about 274,000 Nevadans will drive at least 50 miles from home this weekend.

CROWDS COME FOURTH

July 4

weekend Visitors Nongaming Economic Impact

2003 275,000 $165.8 million**

2002 268,000 No estimate provided

2001 251,000 $167.9 million

2000 269,000 $200 million

1999 244,000 $134.6 million

**Projected

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