Las Vegas Weekly

September 12, 2008 · 8:21 AM

Figures show massive slump in Vegas visitors

By Robin Leach

The nationwide economic slowdown is really hurting Las Vegas. In the July figures just released this morning, total air passenger traffic was down 8.6 percent against last July's numbers and the average daily auto traffic count was down a further 6.4 percent over last July -- less and less people are flying and driving into our desert hotspot.

The statistics show that the overall year-over-year July comparisons show total visitor count dropped from 3,378,193 to 3,222,456, and actual room inventory increased 2.4 percent, making the number even worse. The only bright spot in the dark clouds was that the number of conventions actually increased by 8.9 percent but it really didn't help because attendance for them was only up 0.6 percent. As most restaurants and retailers here will tell you, they are spending less and less while visiting.

The figures are released by our Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Share This