LVCVA reports tourism up 3.5 percent in September

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

Las Vegas visitor volume increased to 2.8 million people in September, a 3.5 percent increase over the same period a year ago, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported Wednesday.

The LVCVA said convention attendance was up 6.3 percent to 271,213 people and the total room occupancy level was up 2.8 points to 82.9 percent. The average daily room rate was up 6.1 percent for the month to $80.66.

While Las Vegas volume climbed, two other Southern Nevada gaming destinations had mixed success. Visitor volume in Mesquite, 80 miles north of Las Vegas, was up 10.5 percent over September 2002 to 127,609 people and hotel occupancy was up 3.3 points to 77.1 percent, the LVCVA said.

Visitor volume was up 0.9 percent over last year to 328,628 in Laughlin on the Colorado River, south of Las Vegas. The LVCVA said convention attendance was down 23.3 percent to 11,776 and hotel occupancy was up 0.9 points to 79.7 percent. LVCVA officials said the Laughlin market was affected by Indian casinos in California and Arizona.

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