Las Vegas reached a historic milestone, exceeding 40 million visitors for the first time. The tourism industry in Southern Nevada continues to expand, achieving ten consecutive months of visitor volume increases, with many of those months being the best on record.
The ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ has surpassed its record for annual visitation, drawing more than 40 million people with two weeks remaining of the calendar year. Current pacing suggests the destination could approach nearly 41 million visitors by the end of the year. The previous record was set in 2012 with more than 39,727,000 tourists.
Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) said, “Las Vegas couldn’t have reached this milestone without the continued investments of our resort partners, and the more than 40 million people who came to experience all the destination has to offer. Ongoing developments in the destination, including new, renovated and rebranded resort properties, new attractions, world-class entertainment, incredible culinary offerings and more are what keep first-time visitors and loyalists returning to Las Vegas time and time again.”
Las Vegas has seen an increase in direct international air service in 2014 with Canada and Mexico proving to be instrumental to visitation growth. Tourism plays a vital role in the economy of Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas Valley generating more than US$ 45 billion annually and supporting 376,000 local jobs.
To celebrate the 40 million visitor milestone, as only Las Vegas can, the destination created a series of priceless, ‘Only in Vegas’ experiences and surprised unsuspecting visitors with Las Vegas entertainers, including Penn and Teller, Carrot Top and Claire Sinclair, presenting the one-of-a-kind experiences. The giveaway items included; incredible suite upgrades at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Palms Las Vegas, dinner for four at CRUSH; eat, drink, love at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, thrill-seeking SkyJump experiences at Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, VIP beauty makeovers at Michael Boychuck’s COLOR Salon at Caesars Palace, unforgettable nightlife experiences at LiFE at SLS Las Vegas and much more.