Internet key to getting more visitors, officials told

Angie Wagner

Wednesday, May 6, 1998 | 4:07 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - As more tourists book trips to Las Vegas via the Internet, the city will have to step up its websites to offer visitors better information and discounts, tourism and business officials were told Wednesday.

Since the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's website went online in August 1997, the most popular pages have been ones listing accommodations, weather information and a calendar of events, Terry Jicinsky, marketing research and Internet manager for the LVCVA, said during a National Tourism Week luncheon at Caesars Palace.

Many people download pictures of Las Vegas to use as screen savers, he said.

By the year 2002, Jicinsky said $11.7 billion will be spent on travel accommodations through the Internet.

Las Vegas figures to be a big part of that, but to compete with other destinations, the city needs to determine "how best to get them (tourists) to spend that dollar in their pocket," Jicinksy said.

Hotel-casinos will have to begin offering more discounts and contests on the Internet, he said.

The LVCVA is working on providing a current money exchange rate page for international visitors. The website is also being updated to provide people with directions to specific hotels or different parts of the city, Jicinsky said.

"Beware that the world is our competition," said Bob Tallman, spokesman for the National Finals Rodeo.

The NFR, held here in December since 1985, is a big boost to the Las Vegas economy during a normally slow month.

Tallman, who grew up in Winnemucca and now lives in Fort Worth, Tex., said the key to getting return visitors is to make sure they like it so much, they book their next trip before they leave town.

"Yes the properties are magnificent. ... Yes you are a frightening city," he said.

But, the challenge is to make visitors fall in love and stay in love with Las Vegas, Tallman said.

Earlier Wednesday, the city welcomed its 500 millionth visitor since 1960. Allen Brusewitz of Huntington Beach, Calif., was greeted at McCarran International Airport with roses and showgirls.

He said he has been coming to Las Vegas since the '60s.

"We Californians think of it as our playground," he said after being recognized at the luncheon.

Brusewitz won five years of Las Vegas vacations including airfare and hotel accommodations.