Lou's Views
Nickel & Diming for Dollars
Is the tourism downturn in Las Vegas because of the "Vegas is too expensive" rhetoric?... Not really. Vegas isn't the only destination experiencing a tourism downturn. Manhattan is down 5%, Florida 18%, and Hawaii, 17% fewer visitors, to name a few popular tourist destinations Is Las Vegas simply a victim of circumstances? Well, no. Not entirely. I think it’s exacerbated by a terrible corporate marketing issue. Corporate 'wisdom' has been to make up the loss by adding more (and more) 'nickel and dime' fees (if it really were only nickels and dimes the impact might not be as bad). Let's review those nickels and dimes. There are: • Parking fees - some resorts will charge every time you enter the garage • Resort fees - can exceed the room charge (covering such amenities as use of the phone no one uses) • In-room beverages and snacks - typically cost is about $12 each for items like candy and chips.. There are the 'acronym fees': • RFT (resort fee tax): the tax you pay on top of paying the resort fee - 13.38%. • LET (live entertainment tax): the charge for buying a ticket to any live performance - 9%. • CNF (concession & franchise) the charge to buy food - 3% to 5%. • CCU (credit card usage) - 2.5% to 3% for using a credit card. And let's not forget the... • 'On the Rocks' and Neat Pour fee: for a shot pour larger than the 'Strip standard' of 1 to 1.25 ounces. • Mandatory Gratuity: 18% to 20% (be careful to subtract this from the tip you actually want to leave). • Restaurant Operation Fee: 3% to 5% fee (because the restaurant exists?) • Premium view fees: For rooms or restaurants with specific views - typically $25 to $75. • Operation Fee - such as for room service ($25 at some resorts). • Booking Fee or 'Contact Center Fee' - for speaking with a human agent during the booking process. If the multitude of fees were rolled into original pricing structures, the “Vegas is ripping you off” narrative might simply roll into the “Vegas is too expensive” rhetoric and vacationers might find that Vegas is not expensive, at least not comparatively.
Vegas Value Vacation
Vegas is a city of 2.6 million that compares favorably in almost every way with all other cities of its size. Unlike those other cities however, its growth began primarily because of gambling and social freedoms. That is no longer the case. Las Vegas has evolved into a beautiful place to visit and live, with amenities better than most cities, and is no longer dependent solely on tourism. It does, however, still happen to be the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ - which refers almost exclusively to the ‘Strip’. And it's the Strip that isn't cheap anymore. But, it's not more expensive than any other tourism-centric city. It begins with hotel prices. There are 150,000 rooms available in Las Vegas. That kind of supply vs demand creates a value unparalleled anywhere else in the United States. To illustrate this, the following are nightly room rates (on a Wednesday, one month in advance, including fees) comparing three levels of hotels compared with a small city (30,000 pop.) in central New York: CENTRAL NEW YORK: Hampton Inn $235 Fairfield Inn $190 Red Roof Inn $86 LAS VEGAS: Paris Hotel $180 ($55 less than Hampton Inn) Flamingo $92 ( $98 less than Fairfield Inn) Luxor $59 ($27 less than Red Roof Inn) Drinks and food do cost less in a small city, but Vegas offers 98% more options (that calculation is based on over 7,000 restaurants in the Las Vegas area). Of course, few people plan a vacation in a small area in Upstate NY so let’s compare large tourism destinations (again, on a Wednesday, one month in advance, including fees): HAMPTON INN: Las Vegas $108 Chicago Downtown $139 Boston Seaport $239 Manhattan $361 HOTEL TAXES: Vegas 13.38% Chicago 17.4% Boston 16.45% Manhattan 14.75% + $3.50/night Then there’s the weather… That particular amenity costs nothing.
Inexpensive Vegas
The "Vegas is too expensive" and "Vegas was better when the 'Mob' ran it" narratives are in some ways true, but let's take a closer look at it... Back in the 50's through the early 90's, Vegas offered gambling that was illegal most everywhere else along with those $9.95 buffets and free drinks. But there weren’t over 100 celebrity chef restaurants among the 7,000 restaurants available within an hour drive. iconic one of a kind resorts like Luxor, Strat, NYNY, Bellagio, Venetian and Paris or world-class lodging like Caesars, Resorts World, Wynn, Cosmopolitan and Fontainebleau. There also was no Sphere, Fremont Street Experience or NHL Hockey, NFL Football, WNBA Basketball, Formula One, Nascar, UFC or AAA baseball (and soon Major League baseball). All of that results in far more reasons to visit Las Vegas than the gambling, cheap food and drinks version of what was then aptly dubbed 'Sin City'. And it costs more. But how much more? HOTELS: There are over 150,000 rooms in the Las Vegas valley, making it easier to find a reasonably priced room than any other premium tourist destination. A 2024 study of the average rate for 3-4 star hotels in cities with populations over 200,000 revealed the most expensive as Boston, Jersey City, Manhattan, Raleigh and Austin - all averaging over $250 per night. Las Vegas came in at number 82 at $132 per night. But what about all those fees that are added to the cost? Adding the 13.38% 'bed tax' and a $50 resort fee, brings the Vegas average to $200 per night, still out of the top 20 and more than cities like Buffalo, Anchorage and Sacramento. RESTAURANTS: Along with the trend toward themed mega-hotels, the 1990s initiated the move away from cheap buffets and steak dinners to higher quality buffets, restaurants and world-class culinary experiences. Because of that, Vegas is among the top 10 in cost for a quality dinner, along with Manhattan, Honolulu, Miami, Charleston, New Orleans and San Francisco. Menu prices are the same at various national chains like Capital Grille, Nobu and Giordano's. Simply get out of the tourism corridor (Strip to Downtown), however and you'll find inexpensive lodging, gambling and reasonably priced exceptionally high world-class quality restaurants. It's true that corporate hotels have taken to the continual process of adding charges to hotel rooms, dinners, drinks, entertainment and whatever else they can think of, but despite the trend the 'Entertainment Capital of the World' remains among the best dollar-for-dollar vacation destinations in the world, so I doubt that many vacationers have changed their travel destination from Vegas to Tucson these days. (apologies to Tucson - it's actually a very nice city).
Death Reports Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Living in a lesser town has recently spawned 'Vegas is Dead' drivel spilling out of many click-seeking ‘influencers’ who should remember that locals have influence too. Yes, 3.5 million fewer people visited Las Vegas in 2025 - a 12% reduction from 2024. But other tourism-focused destinations such as Florida and Hawaii are experiencing a significantly steeper decline. It’s just the most reported because of its historical, but changing, tourism-centric economy. Although the popular narrative is that the decline in tourism is only because of rising prices, external factors including tourism boycotts due to Federal policies and ‘trade-war’ issues, air travel disruptions and increased fares, along with a variety of inflation-contributing factors. People simply have less disposable income than they had. And yet, over 38 million will visit Las Vegas this year - that’s more than 100,000 every day. 730, 000 more every week on average, mostly in the ‘resort corridor’, a 5.5 square mile area. Only 36% of all revenue in Vegas now is gaming volume. In 2025, gross gaming and overall revenue on the Strip was down 3.7%. Downtown saw a gross revenue increase of 0.7% and a gaming increase of about 2% (in both cases net revenue was down - significantly on the Strip) What does all this mean? Las Vegas is far from ‘dead’ it simply has a temporary ailment that will be easily treated with new attractions and reasons to travel here. Just as it always has.
A Tale of Two Vegases
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” Times have changed. And so has Las Vegas. Las Vegas grew initially by offering things not available anywhere else in the country, all presented in an opulent fashion that was unlike anything available elsewhere - and visitors were all treated as celebrities for the duration of their time here. Vegas had developed the reputation of a value destination because ancillary expenditures, mostly food and drink, were viewed by the casino bosses (take that term as you wish) as loss-leaders, to draw people into their establishments where it was all underwritten by gambling revenues. The loss taken on the buffet ledger was more than balanced by the gaming revue. Unfortunately, all that changed when the Strip was taken over by corporate behemoth semi-monopolies (Caesars and MGM come to mind), who viewed those ‘loss-leaders’ as unprofitable space that could either be leased or filled with gaming options, creating additional revenue streams. Gone were the inexpensive buffets and frequent free drinks for gamblers. Similarly, the trend perpetuated with the destruction of the free show - and themed buildings - that for years had drawn customers not only into the venue, but to Vegas itself. And, with casino gambling now available within a short distance of most Americans, along with on-line options, casinos had to create revenue by other means. So they decided that those means would be by providing floor space to other businesses - the same thought process as closing the free shows and leasing that space instead. This is short-sighted, but is the overriding approach because of the two things that the Sin-city version of Vegas didn’t have to be concerned with: The quarterly report, and data proving that ‘free things’ draws customers to the establishment, creating profit in the long term. So, it seems that other businesses have taken over much of the responsibility to attract visitors and create the profit margins desired by the corporations. Times have changed - but it’s still the best of times.
Locals Go to the Strip, Just Not Always
“Locals never go to the Strip.” Well, some of us do - occasionally. Why live in the Las Vegas valley if you nevert take advantage of the world-class culinary and entertainment options? Locals are well aware, however, that there’s no need to go to the Strip (or Downtown) when low limit gambling, free drinks and better restaurants with exceptional service at affordable prices can be found all over the valley. And they’re available to everyone. Every criticism of the Strip won't be found just a short walk or drive away. The Las Vegas Valley offers the unique option of bars, restaurants, activities and attractions available within a short drive. There's Henderson, Summerlin, the Arts District, Lake Las Vegas, Chinatown and many other options, all within a few miles of the Strip. Don't declare Vegas a thing of the past if you only visit places from the past.
On Becoming Common
Stardust, Riviera, Aladdin, Dunes, Landmark, Sands and so many others made Las Vegas the gambling capital of the country. With its free volcano show, dolphin habitat, rainforest atrium, Siegfried & Roy and Secret Garden, Mirage established the evolution of Las Vegas from Sin City into the Entertainment Capital of the World, known for the Strip's unique, themed landscape. But today, with casino gaming, sports betting and more available within driving distance of almost anywhere, things like the destruction of the Mirage and Tropicana are a serious blow to the landscape and attraction to the greatest city in the world. And it’s happening because of the short-sighted approach of optimizing the current bottom line without regard to the bigger picture. Free shows don’t create short-term identifiable revenue any more than buffets do. The modern Las Vegas success was the result of the growth of a collective of iconic attractions, each of which was a loss leader but that collectively drew new tourists to the greatest city in the world. Interestingly, because of the themed buildings and free shows on the Strip, Downtown recognized the power of collective attraction, and responded cooperatively, constructing the Fremont Street Experience. Its tourism numbers have grown immeasurably since its inception. Prior to its construction less than 20% of visitors to the strip went downtown. Following the $70 million project, it now draws over 26 million visitors annually, nearly 70% of all persons who visit the Strip. So be careful, Las Vegas Strip. Park MGM is not the Monte Carlo, Vanderpump is not the Barbary Coast, Harrah's is not the Riverboat and even the Sahara is no longer the Sahara, and people can gamble closer to home in casinos that resemble office buildings.
They Paved Paradise (Nevada)
It's been a while, but with the recent demolition of the Mirage and Tropicana, it's appropriate to review the fate of another of the original iconic Vegas resorts. Opened in 1955, the Riviera was the first skyscraper and tallest building on the Strip. Over the years, it represented Vegas in films like Ocean's Eleven, Casino and the Hangover, along with providing millions of visitors with enduring memories of the 'old days' that many lament. In 2015, 60 years later, 'the Riv' (as it had become affectionately known) was demolished to make way for the expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A full decade after its demolition, an empty ten acres of the Riviera land facing the Strip now serves as a reminder of its contribution to the lore of old Vegas. It also serves as the most expensive unused parking lot in Las Vegas - maybe the world. ...Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
Nevada State Flower
No one knows how many cones, barrels and barricades there are on the roads of the Las Vegas Valley, but likely it represents the most per capita in the United States, if not the world. Locals, in fact, have facetiously dubbed the orange obstructions Nevada’s state flower. In fact, recognizing this dubious achievement of the Clark County Public Works Department there actually is an Arts District exhibit entitled ’State Flower’ showcasing traffic cone art (surprisingly there were actually some available for the display). The multitude of work zones void of humanity would suggest there aren’t remotely enough employees to work on the repairs and improvements needed on the many roads obstructed by the little nuisances. Therefore, it seems they are simply being stored in plain sight, affording the added benefit suggesting progress is imminent. Perhaps the DPW should instead consider a warehouse for storage.
Diamonds are Forever - But Resorts are Not
Corporate Vegas has successfully severed yet another tie to the storied past. With a storied past, including scenes from the 1971 James Bond film of the same name, the time has come to bid farewell to another iconic landmark - ‘The Trop’, to make way for… Baseball? Just short of 70 years, and still profitable, the 'Trop' is being replaced by a Major League Baseball stadium, to be home for the former Oakland A's (yes, another struggling team jettisoned from Oakland, California, landing in Vegas. Baseball on the Strip? Sure, why not? Professional football, baseball, hockey, and soon NBA Basketball will soon all be within walking distance of each other (if you consider a mile or so walking distance). And walk we all will, because the traffic on and near Tropicana Ave will be significant (yes, it's still named that, as a constant reminder of what once was).
Bleeding the Guest Wallet
Las Vegas was built on a foundation different from other cities - casino gaming, world class entertainment, buffets, sports betting, inexpensive rooms, free drinks and beginning in 1989, unique architecture. Many of those features are now available elsewhere. The corporate response to the previously non-existent competition has been to increase the cost of everything, eliminate or reduce what Vegas had become known for and, because corporate greed has neither sensitivity nor boundaries, fabricate new and often hidden revenue streams. Everyone is now familiar with the ill-defined and ever rising 'resort fee' and increased parking fees (charging to patronize a business). But are you familiar with the live entertainment tax (LET)? How about the concession and franchise fee (CNF) or the Automatic Gratuity (originally to assure appropriate tipping from large groups but now sometimes applied to parties of any size)? Free attractions it seems are now viewed as a drag on individual resort's bottom line, but collectively they've always contributed to drawing what are now over 42 million visitors annually. The perception that every square foot of real estate should generate revenue has resulted in removal of many of the free attractions that enticed visitors to Vegas in the first place. It wasn't that long ago visitors were treated to the Pirate Battles at Treasure Island, the MGM Lion Habitat, Rio casino's 'Show in the Sky', the Dragon at Excalibur or the Luxor 'Nile River' (the original free attraction, the Mirage Volcano, will soon join the list). An additional cause for concern is the direction of new construction. Aria and Cosmopolitan, though beautiful, evoke thoughts of other large cities. Park MGM is not Monte Carlo and a giant guitar will never replace an erupting volcano. It seems Las Vegas, once a unique paradise of value, where the average person could afford to be treated like a celebrity while enjoying sights and diversions unrivaled in the world, has lost that vision in its myopic attention to the quarterly balance sheet Be careful what you wish for Las Vegas, the slow erosion of what made this city unlike any other might just make it like many others. It should be noted that not all casino ownership subscribes to the aforementioned. In 1995 after reaching the point where 80% of all casino profits were at the Strip, the four original casinos Downtown recognized the power of collective attraction, combining to construct the Fremont Street Experience (and there are still many local casinos that still treat patrons with old Las Vegas style).
Attack of the 50-foot Showgirls
Are showgirls really still representative of Las Vegas? It would seem so, even though with the closing of Bally's Jubilee over 6 years ago, Las Vegas no longer offers any shows that include the tall, beautiful talented dancers. Those elegant casino showgirls have been replaced by the by shorter, often wider, g-string clad outdoor facsimiles - hustling tourists, alongside Spider Man, for the $20 photo. Recently, perhaps in an attempt to rekindle the memories of the iconic attraction that only those her age could appreciate, the Mayor authorized installation of twin 26 foot cartoon-like showgirl signs to greet tourists entering 'old Vegas' (game on, Paradise). And now, barely a year later, in the typical Vegas style of excess gauche, those 26 foot eyesores will be replaced with 50 foot versions (fear not - the original 'girls' are being refurbished and will greet visitors to the 18b Arts District). Perhaps more than their scantily clad photo-hawking facsimiles, the attraction that best laments the loss of the beauty and class of the original showgirls will be the numerous selfies featuring the lower extremities of the gigantic cartoon versions.
Luxor - The Egyptian... Billboard?
In 1993, a 30 story glass pyramid with the strongest beam of light and largest atrium in the world opened. Although some of its attractions didn't survive the years, the heavy Egyptian theme is still unmistakable. Unfortunately, on the outside, the billion dollar investment has become what it seems may be the world's most expensive billboard. MGM made it painfully evident that there will be no theme involved when the venerable Monte Carlo became Park MGM (unless of course its office building theme is lost on me). Thankfully the Venetian hasn't yet thought to put bumper stickers on the gondolas.
R.I.P. SDX
For those new to the wisdom of the Regional Transportation Center (RTC), there once was a more efficient bus system that worked in concert with the Deuce. That bus was called the SDX (Strip and Downtown Express). It became a casualty if the COVID-19 pandemic, never to return, leaving tourists and locals to rely on what is now only the overcrowded Deuce. So let's review the only bus system available to over 40 million visitors per year: The typical wait: 15 to 20 minutes. The riders: tourists now share the ride with many locals traveling to and from work - forced onto the only remaining economical means of transportation The ride: 27 stops over 9 miles - one every 600 yards The time: One mile in 11 minutes (the complete N-S route can take up to two hours) The traffic: There is no dedicated bus lane, frequently causing even slower times due to construction and traffic congestion (particularly in the evening during the many sports and entertainment events on the Strip) The occupant's health: Remember COVID-19? It's not the only illness that can be transmitted on an overcrowded bus with standing room only occupancy This is no way to treat those who make Las Vegas the "Entertainment Capital of the World", the lifeblood of our economy. Fortunately there are private transportation options available, including the underutilized Monorail (try to find the stations along that route). Hopefully the promised underground Las Vegas Loop system will help alleviate both the traffic and psychological stress caused by the death of the SDX (that is, if you don't mind riding underground in a Tesla).
Formula (1) for Tarmac Turmoil
For more than two months annually, the entertainment capital of the world makes its most well known attractions partially or completely unavailable. The world renowned Bellagio Fountains blocked by massive viewing stands, the Venetian 'canal' drained, overpasses visually blocked (lest a non-paying passerby may see an F1 car for the millisecond it takes to roar past at 200 mph). Lighting, fencing, road closures, lane reductions, barricades and restricted access all along and near the 3.75 mile 'track' surrounding the Strip. The race lasts about two hours. Sounds crazy? There is that $1,000,000,000 (that's billion, with a 'B' as they say) spent by the 175,000 visitors that week. It will take some getting used to. We'll have the chance to find out. The current contract lasts through 2037.
Strict-ish Watering LAws
Las Vegas is in the Mojave desert. Southern Nevada, however, is one of the most water-secure communities in the West. Las Vegas treats and recycles nearly all indoor water from sinks, toilets, and showers - about 200 million gallons daily (73 billion annually). The 2.3 million locals use about 84 billion gallons per year, while the 40 million Vegas visitors consume an additional 28 billion gallons (the deficit hopefully filled by regional precipitation). Outdoor water usage cannot be captured however, and a large portion of the treated waste water is ultimately used outdoors - watering home lawns and irrigating parks and golf courses. To address outdoor consumption, Las Vegas has enacted strict (?) watering laws: Only six days a week in the summer, three days per week in the fall and one day per week in winter. Additionally, watering is prohibited on Sundays, as is watering with sprinklers between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (to a maximum of 12 minutes per day). Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, was designed to hold 9.5 trillion gallons. The lake dropped to 3.7 trillion gallons since 2000 (about 39% of capacity) due to reduced precipitation and higher temperatures in the southwest. There are many reasons to enjoy living in the Las Vegas area. Lack of a natural grass lawn seems a small sacrifice. Las Vegas is in the Mojave desert.
Now It Really was a Mirage
It was the original and most breathtaking of all the free entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip. The Mirage - the original and themed hotel. And it had changed everything. There was the Strip-front Volcano, erupting nightly,; spewing water and fire that generated heat that could be felt on the other side of the Strip - accompanied by a thundering tribal soundtrack composed by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian composer Zakir Hussain. It erupted numerous times nightly, for 34 years. Surrounding it were the water features including a waterfall and lagoon - all in the middle of the Mojave desert. Inside was an atrium, a 100-foot-high curved glass dome housing a tropical conservatory that included cascading waterfalls, fresh orchids and numerous live tropical flowers. Behind the check-in desk was: a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium with hundreds of forms of exotic marine life. For 30 years, you could also enjoy Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat - an outdoor sanctuary that was home to dolphins, white tigers and leopards. Replacing it will be the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - a $4 billion guitar-shaped hotel.