Las Vegas is back open for business. We’ve known that for a while now, but only recently have international travelers begun returning to Sin City seeking to win their fortune in the casino and party the night away.
Vegas is a city that never sleeps – even during a global coronavirus pandemic – but it’s fair to say that for the majority of 2020 saw fewer and fewer tourists visit the Strip’s famous plazas, casinos, hotels and entertainment venues.
Last year McCarran international airport saw passenger numbers drop almost 60%. But already in 2021 the numbers are rebounding, as more and more people book vacations to Vegas.
And the city is ready for the visitors. According to James Edgar, a consultant who works with Vegas nightlife, hospitality, and festival brands, there’s going to be an explosion of activity when flights to the US get back to pre-pandemic levels.
“Once international travel resumes, it’s going to be insane because when you can travel anywhere, everyone chooses Vegas,” he told Vegas Inc. “It’s the ultimate destination for people in the UK and Europe, and the rest of America, too.”
How Vegas Should Look
Casino owners on the Strip are feverishly working to improve their venues, revamp their hotel rooms and renovate their entertainment options ahead of the return to millions of tourists over the coming months.
Statistically, casinos will hope to attract the same numbers of tourists in 2021 and 2022 that were enjoyed in 2018 and 2019 – before the pandemic. Indeed, what with the billions of extra dollars invested in Nevada since COVID-19 began – through public health programs, as well as new casinos – Vegas has never been more ready to welcome back visitors.
And the state needs them. According to official data from 2019, there were:
- 42.2m visitors to Las Vegas and its surrounding area
- $34.5bn spent by tourists, accounting for 30% of Southern Nevada’s gross economic output
- 234,000 employees in the tourism sector, making up 26.7% of all employment in Southern Nevada
Economically, then, tourists are what keeps Vegas alive. Yet there will be some differences, international visitors, to Vegas experience when they land at McCarran this year and beyond.
What’s Changed In Vegas For International Tourists?
Indeed, whether it’s improved safety and security, or a more diverse range of entertainment activities, Vegas is expected to flourish in post-pandemic America as visitors chase even bigger thrills following two years of protocols.
Gambling
Gambling halls in Vegas casinos are back open for business but tourists will experience subtle changes in how the halls operate. For a start, electronic payments means there is now a greater proportion of cashless casinos or casinos that prioritize card payments and e-wallets. Tourists should be aware that while dollars are still accepted, some casinos prefer cashless transactions.
With thin in mind, there are also some changes to the how dealers interact with games. For example, players are encouraged not to touch chips or dice as much as they usually would, simply to help reduce the potential spread of the disease. Thankfully, though, most casinos now have a staff vaccination policy to ensure staff are safe to work.
Nightlife
Vegas’ nightlife is an integral part of the city experience and tourists from all over the world love to go partying. Many entertainment events will require visitors to show proof of vaccination before entering – this is particularly relevant to Vegas shows where audiences mingle. However, late-night bars and joints are back open and some are likely to have less stringent checks on Covid safety – so tourists are encouraged to plan ahead before heading out into town for the night!
Hotels
In 2018 Las Vegas’ hotel industry directly employed 164,000 people – roughly 16.8% of all Southern Nevada employment. And even more employees are expected to run the hotel industry once Vegas is sully open to tourists once again. The new Resorts World Las Vegas is the latest big boy on the Strip – a mega casino with 3500 rooms. The increase could be great for tourists as hotel room rates are likely to fall, which means cheaper rooms! In the long term other casino complexes will look at the success or failure of Resorts World before deciding whether to expend their hotel stock.
However, what’s for sure is that many hotels have used the coronavirus pandemic and Vegas lock-down to refurb their suites and get ready for a past-COVID wave of visitors.
Eating
Restaurants are now back open in Vegas with very few serious protocols in place. However, good habits have been developed over the past 18 months and now many Vegas restaurants and bars are sympathetic to social distancing and understanding about electronic payments. This should mean restaurant service is much more streamlined, and diners will be able to eat comfortably once again.
Travel
The first thing many international travelers will see when they enter McCarran international airport are the coronavirus safety measures in place – namely, face masks. Masks are to be worn on Vegas public transport networks and help prevent the spread of the disease. However, it’s likely that more private travel will be undertaken in the years to come, with the Vegas Boring Tunnel just one of the projects underway.
Tourists should also note that some entry and exit points to casinos that they may be familiar with might have changed since the pandemic.
