Already well known at a destination that can be reached via cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, Las Vegas witnessed a record number (39.7 million) of visitors last year.
About 500,000 more tourists visited Las Vegas in 2012 than in 2007, the previous record setting year. Tourists overall spent over $40 billion while visiting.
Last years visitor count was a little more than 2 percent above the approximately 38.9 million who came to Las Vegas in 2011. 2012s 4.9 million visits from convention delegates was a four year high.
Las Vegas hotels average daily rate increased about 3 percent last year to $108 a night, while its occupancy rate was up 0.6 points to 84.4 percent.
Experts believe that Las Vegas is in an excellent position for growth in 2013 and could easily end up hosting in excess of 40 million visitors.
One of the factors expected to drive more tourists to Las Vegas this year is the opening later this year of Caesars Entertainments $550 million Linq retail/entertainment project.
A key factor in Vegas overall appeal is that its hotel rooms are so affordable. Hotel rooms in city are priced as much as half to two thirds less than comparable hotel rooms in other cities.
Las Vegas is by far and away the countrys biggest hotel market, home to 373 hotels that offer 169,000 rooms. Orlando is the second biggest market with about 119,000 hotel rooms.
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