Heavy travel week expected at airport

Judy Odierna

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 11:21 a.m.

With both Christmas and New Years falling in the middle of the week this year, McCarran International Airport is expecting to see larger crowds this weekend.

"At this point it is difficult to project but there will be a lot of travel starting (Friday)," McCarran spokeswoman Debbie Millett said. "It's going to be real steady the whole week."

McCarran officials are reminding passengers to avoid bringing wrapped gifts to the airport and to pack film in carry-on bags. They also say passengers should arrive early with only one carry-on bag and a personal item, and don't forget to bring valid photo identification.

"People are getting better, but there's always the toy gun," Millett said. "The Transportation Security Administration has a website. If you are not sure, though, ship it ahead of time. Do not bring it."

One of those people preparing to travel this weekend is Las Vegas resident Mason Allred.

Allred, 21 was waiting for his sister, Kyla, at McCarran on Thursday.

"She's coming in from Idaho and then we are going to Florida on Friday," Allred said. "We come back to Vegas for New Years."

Rob Powers, vice president of public relations for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said Allred is not alone in making it back to Vegas to ring in 2003.

"We are going to have a strong New Year's holiday," Powers said. "Traditionally the period of time after the (National Finals) Rodeo ends and Christmas Day is a slow time."

Last year during Christmas time Powers said there were about 244,000 visitors and this year they are expecting 232,000. Hotels last year during Christmas were at about 84 percent occupancy, while this year they are estimated at 79 percent. Powers said they are expecting 270,000 to 290,000 visitors for New Years, about the same as the 289,000 he said came to Vegas last year. Hotel occupancy was at 99.5 percent last year and they expect the same numbers this year.

"Christmas is traditionally a soft period in Las Vegas," said Michael Coldwell, director of public relations for Park Place Entertainment. "Hotels are moderately booked."

George Maloof, owner of the Palms Hotel and Casino, said the hotel are almost at 90 percent occupancy for the month.

"Fortunately for us we are having a great month," Maloof said. "Things look really good as we finish off the year."

Lisa Foster, spokeswoman for AAA of Nevada, said more Nevada residents will fly this Christmas than they did last year. They expect more than 103,000 residents to head to area airports, which is an increase of five percent over last year.

According to a AAA survey, 379,000 are planning to travel by car, which is a 2.8 drop from last year.

Despite a decreased number of motorists, the Bureau of Reclamation, is warning travelers to expect heavy traffic when trying to cross Hoover Dam. Peak hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec.24, 28th and 29th as well as Jan 2.

Foster said some of the lower numbers for travel are due to the mid-week holidays.

"It usually has some type of an impact because you can't make a long weekend out of it," Foster said. "When it's the Fourth of July there's a bigger decrease because it doesn't feel as vital to get away. People like to take the extra time to be with family."