Tourism workers rally to invite visitors to Vegas

Similar events were planned for other cities that rely heavily on tourists

Published Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | 2:10 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.

Tourism Rally

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Hundreds of casino and resort employees gathered Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center to call attention to Americans whose jobs depend on travel.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority organized the 11 a.m. rally as part of the U.S. Travel Rally Day. The event included speakers, workers holding signs and a performance by the Valley High School marching band.

The event was part of a national campaign organized by the U.S. Travel Association to commemorate National Travel and Tourism Week with events in more than 40 cities nationwide.

Speakers at the event included Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, LVCVA President Rossi Ralenkotter, LVCVA Vice President Vince Alberta and Las Vegas Hilton employee Bennie Oxford.

Oxford, a personnel supervisor at the hotel, said she's optimistic even though the drop in tourism has hurt the local economy. Oxford said she has about 50 people applying for each position at the hotel.

LVCVA spokeswoman Alicia Malone said between 300 and 500 people attended the event, meeting the organization's goal.

The tourism industry employs about 250,000 Southern Nevadans and injects more than $30 billion into the local economy every year, the tourism authority said.

Tuesday’s rally came on the heels of a recent AP poll that shows Americans plan to travel less this summer.

"There has never been a more important time for all of Southern Nevada to come together to support our main economic driver," Ralenkotter said in a statement, which asked all Las Vegas residents to wear blue today "to show their support for the No. 1 industry to our economy."

Ralenkotter will testify Wednesday in Washington alongside U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) at a hearing on tourism in front of a Senate committee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By kenodave

5/12/09 at 4:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

"I'm not going to give rooms away. That's a heads-in-beds philosophy," Ruffin said. "I don't want the $50 customer."

Perhaps the LVCA should invite Mr Ruffin at its next rally.
By karebear

5/12/09 at 4:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

I used to love to come to Vegas. Not any more I read the Sun and someone is getting killed every day by either a drunk, or some senseless violent crime! Come on clean up your act! I'm sorry but how will you ever replace a class act such as Danny Gans? It will be a long long time before I consider Vegas in my travel plans. Sad
By davidwayneosedach

5/12/09 at 6:16 p.m.

Suggest removal

We leave in San Diego and because of all the specials(this year) and package deals come to Las Vegas every other month. It is always well worth the 5 and half hour drive.
By transplanted

5/12/09 at 9:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

how about a Tourist Appreciation Rally at the airport, with gifts for every tourist that comes to town!? Treat 'em good, give them something free, and show THEM how much we care!
By kenoman1956

5/12/09 at 10:09 p.m.

Suggest removal

How about letting Ruffin make his speech. No 50.00 customers needed. That should bring em in.Besides, I think its alittle too late.People have caught on about Las vegas Gambling. They're so tight, they squeek.Got a sister in law that used to come out at least once a yr.Spends alot of money on 25 cent machines, never hit any thing good in her 4 days here.She even tried the locals off the strip.Seeing how much she dropped made me sick, but she can afford it.She'll never come back, because of how vegas has changed from gambling to ripoff.She didn't tell me nothing new, and I live here.And we sure can't hit anything.But i know whos winning, the Ceo's.Good luck in the recovery, but until you start giving some of the money back in slots,people will gamble at their hometown casino's. That a Fact.
By dnbarber

5/14/09 at 4 a.m.

Suggest removal

If it wasn't for the incredible amount of criminal activity found in Las Vegas, it might be a nice place to visit. When traveling I was impressed with the new development , weather, etc. My son liked it so much that moved there last fall after college graduation. Six month later he was nearly killed by a gang late one night just driving down the street when he as ambushed by bat wielding punks. Luckily he escaped in his smashed up vehicle, but moved back to New England immediatly the next day. When watching the local news from afar and reading about a murder happening every day and numerous assaults and property crimes that take place there every day, I would not recommend taking up residency in Las Vegas to anyone in their right mind. You are seriously taking your life in you hands if you do go there to live. Until they start taking crime seriously we will never return. Sorry .. we tried to give you a chance Las Vegas.