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The New York Times reports that fewer people are booking flights to Las Vegas and Orlando, which are two of the top leisure-travel destination spots in the country. "Both places are facing alarming reductions in commercial air service as airlines whack away at markets where fares are traditionally cheap, " the NY Times reports. The number of flights planned for this fall is down by 13 percent compared to the same period last year, the Times said.
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We used to fly from South Dakota to Vegas four times a year. Now we plan one trip a year to Vegas!
Main reason: Just don't have the extra money. My wife and I spend $4,000 more a year for gas now then we did five years ago (traveling the same distance to work). And living in South Dakota, we are really worried about this year’s winter heating costs.
No, I'm not whining. I'm just telling you the truth! There are a whole lot of us that are just running out of leisure spending money.
Hey Vegas, we love you and are going to miss you! But leave the light on for us will ya. We will be back next year!
Until this lousy do nothing Congress gets off its pathetic rear ends and allows this country to again supply its own fuel needs we are headed straight for a depression. Just look at the approval ratings for the 3 branches of our government and you will quickly get a clue that no leadership exists in any part of government and with this upcoming election there isn't a leader even in sight. Accomplishments are done by doing. Vocal meaningless promises are worthless much like the BS that covers pastures. Plus the hot air adds to the global warming.
Maybe the suckers are finally getting it. With ripoffs like 6 to 5 blackjack, sportsbooks refusing to take bets of more than chump change, short-pay video poker and many similar insults to our city’s visitors, most people can find better quality gaming elsewhere. It appears the other overpriced local “amenities” are among the first things people cut out when times get tougher. Casino greed is killing the golden goose. The Las Vegas casino bosses’ business model, which seems to rely on the theory that there’ll always be more suckers to plunder, may finally be coming to a screeching halt.
Las Vegas once was a worthwhile destination for a person of average means. Now the average person has been priced out of the market by the greedy corporate barons. With the “let’s bankrupt them all as quickly as we can” attitude so prevalent now, led by Harrah’s, no wonder tourism is taking such a hit.
My personal wish list:
1. Harrah’s to go into bankruptcy and be forced to divest itself of most of its properties, which could then be acquired by individual entrepreneurs willing to offer the suckers reasonably fair treatment.
2. Some imaginative and competent owners and managers to take over the failing dumps downtown. The only thing downtown has to offer is better games. But the current bunch of failures running the downtown dumps can’t seem to grasp that simple comment, as their games mimic the Strip, getting worse and worse. No reason to go downtown anymore.
3. Wynn to go bankrupt. The loathsome Mr. Wynn, who knowingly hired an individual who falsely testified in a legal case involving patrons, presides over a sportsbook that is among the worst-run with the rudest management anywhere, and tolerates unparalleled intrusion into the privacy of patrons via Social Security number harassment of all but the lowest-level players, deserves to be put out of business.
4. The remaining operators to see this economic downturn as an opportunity to return to giving the patrons some value, instead of just ripping off our visitors with bloated prices on rooms and shows, poor service, bad attitudes, and lousy games.
Las Vegas has plundered the suckers for a long time. The motto for the Convention and Visitors Authority ought to be, “Las Vegas – a great place to live, but I wouldn’t want to visit.” It’s time to get back to the basics of offering value to the average visitor. “Value” and “service” appear to be words most of the present crop of casino managers are not familiar with – short-term results and today’s stock prices seem to be their only concern. Right now, they are getting what they deserve.
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Opinions and Commentary on the Gaming Industry: www.TheBearGrowls.com
1960thru 1970, the best years ever for living/visiting Las Vegas! As a resident and business owner (one of the largest carpet service companies at that time), the 10 yrs. of the 1960's were by far the BEST. Almost all managment,be it Hotel, casino,resturant,etc. knew who the boss was. I'm 75 yrs.old, and I;ve never seen or had bofore, or after,the care,service,appreciation,or friendlyness, that the over all management of Las Vegas extended to its patrons. I've been back to visit,and on business, and I think the new breed of MBA's that are in management in Las Vegas are more concerned about the bottom line, than they are with the customer.Please change BACK!missouri
Let me let you in on the real reason the price of oil keeps going up, and it has zero to do with the US economy, Congress, off-shore drilling and all that crap.
Indonesia, China, India, the Philippines, etc. all subsidise the price of fuel in their countries, and they have over half the world's populations. China can afford to do it but inflation in the other countries is going through the ceiling.
Until they stop doing it, fuel prices will keep on going up because they're just printing money and destroying their economies.
In the meantime, the budget surplus here in Alberta will keep on going through the ceiling, so at least I get a decent public transport system out of it.
Shame it doesn't go to Las Vegas.
Yes, I've been coming to LV 2 or 3 times a year for 25+ years even though the value of a LV jaunt keeps going down and down. The value we got for our money was pretty high but now rooms cost more, food costs more, taxis cost more, everything costs more...and I've paid the cost at a chance to win some money. But I'm through now -- 6-5 Blackjack, lower video payouts, lower slot payouts...I guess the ads are right: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas -- which in this case means my Money. So...It's been a great 25 years but it doesn't look like there's going to be a 26.