LV expects to host 256,000 for holiday

Jace Radke

Thursday, May 27, 1999 | 10 a.m.

Interstate 15 coming into Las Vegas probably will resemble a parking lot Friday night as an expected 250,000 people make their way here for the Memorial Day weekend.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority ranks Memorial Day weekend second only to President's Day weekend as the holiday that boasts the highest occupancy rates.

"Last year we had about 232,000 people in town for Memorial Day weekend," LVCVA researcher Kevin Bager said. "This year we are expecting a 10.3 percent increase to about 256,000 people."

The increase is at least partially because of the new attractions in Las Vegas, Bager said.

"The Venetian, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio have all opened since last year at this time and people want to see them," he said.

The LVCVA is estimating that tourists will bring in about $140 million in nongaming revenue. That's before a single quarter goes into a slot machine or a single chip onto a table.

The Excalibur and Monte Carlo have already sold out for the weekend, and the Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and all Mirage Resorts properties are filling up quickly and expecting full occupancy this weekend, resort spokesmen said.

"Anytime we have a three-day weekend we are sold out, and we are expecting a great weekend for Memorial Day," Monte Carlo spokeswoman Maria Gladowski said.

A large portion of those coming to Las Vegas will be from California, AAA spokesman Paul Moreno said.

"Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to the summer travel season, and a lot of Californians are going to start their traveling with a trip to Las Vegas because of all the entertainment opportunities there," Moreno said. "On Memorial weekend people want to be in a nice temperature, and Las Vegas also has that."

Las Vegas is a popular Memorial Day spot for both Southern and Northern Californians, who are ready to travel because of the good economy, Moreno said.

"A strong economy is always a good sign that people will be taking vacations," Moreno said. "With the strong economy and gas prices coming down, this will be a record Memorial weekend for Americans traveling."

A record 33.3 million Americans are expected to make a trip this weekend, up 4 percent from last year, according to a AAA report. About 4 million of those travelers will be from California.

While visitors flood into Las Vegas some Nevadans will be headed out of state, Moreno said.

"About one in every eight Nevadans are expected to travel more than 100 miles from home this weekend," Moreno said.

And where are Nevadans going?

"The Grand Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Southern California theme parks and beaches and mountain campgrounds," he said.