Posted on 09/07/2009 12:18:51 PM PDT by Steelfish
Luck runs out on Vegas boom
Construction slows, tourism plummets, discounts pervade. Can the city keep believing that if it builds, visitors will come?
Michael A. Hiltzik and Ashley Powers Los Angeles Times Staff Writers September 6, 2009
The Currans of Granada Hills have been taking family vacations on the Las Vegas Strip for years. They weren't about to pass it up just because Jeff Curran's business selling upscale cookware is down sharply.
But this summer it would be a smart Vegas vacation.
A year ago they plunked down $100 each for tickets to the Blue Man Group show at the Venetian. This year, the family of four -- Jeff, 59, his wife, Michele, 55, and their adult son and daughter -- took in the Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah's with tickets discounted to $10 apiece.
Jeff used to spend up to $500 at the blackjack tables; his new limit was $150 -- on the penny and quarter slot machines.
"I've never seen the penny slots so crowded," Michele remarked in July as the family jaunt was drawing to a close.
The Strip's business model for the 21st century, which was to tap into an ever-expanding supply of free-spending visitors clamoring for first-class hotel rooms, four-star restaurant fare and high-priced shows, has been shattered by its worst recession in decades.
Vegas' ability to weather previous declines made it seem recession-proof. No longer. The carnage left by the economic downturn that began last year is unlike anything this town has seen.
Tourism is down for the second year in a row, and the people who come aren't spending with the abandon of the past. Last year Jeff Curran gave his son and daughter virtually free rein on the casino floor; this year their daily limit was $25 each.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Calling HARRY REID...folks back home want to talk to you. The stimulus is NOT working they say.
I used to love going to Vegas pre 9/11. After 9/11, it got a lot harder to win at the casinos and the whole town had a much more edgy, mean feel to it. People yelling at each other and spoiling for fights. Last time I went was 2004—haven’t been back since.
I've heard Vegas is a wonderful place to visit if you don't gamble. A lot of free entertainment around you.
I seem to recall the president telling companies not to send people to Las Vegas.
Reid’s lord and master, Obozo, has said it is wrong to go to Sin City for a business meeting. That had to hurt. Course I’m remembering little tommy dashole.
See ya Reid ya pos.
You gotta help me out
It’s all a blur last night
We need a taxi
‘Cause you’re hung over and I’m broke
I lost my fake ID
But you lost the motel key
Spare me your freaking dirty looks
Now don’t blame me
You wanna cash out
And get the hell outta town
Don’t be a baby
Remember what you told me
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas
Why are these lights so bright?
Did we get hitched last night?
Dressed up like Elvis
Why am I wearing your class ring?
Don’t call your mother
‘Cause now we’re partners in crime
Don’t be a baby
Remember what you told me
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas
You got me into this
Information overload, situation lost control
Send out an S.O.S.
Ha, and get some cash out
We’re gonna tear up the town
No, don’t be a baby
Remember what you told me
Remember what you told me
Remember what you told me
Told me, told me, oh yeah
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas
That’s what you get, baby
Shake the glitter
Shake, shake, shake the glitter
Gimme some cash out, baby
Gimme some cash out, baby
Waking up in Vegas-Katy Perry
Discretionary spending dries up much faster than spending on necessities, of course. Resort area depressions (such as the Florida real estate/banking crash of 1926) can serve as canaries in the coal mine.
Sitting in front of a one-armed-bandit with flabby arms, holding a cup of quarters and a cigarette has lost its charm.
patent number 7509760 to the rescue
(And when will tourists way up to slimmer payouts' reality? -- which, mathematically, ne'er was w/them to begin with)
the very workers that got hurt the most are the union workers that helped obama get elected.
they haven’t learned their lesson. they will never learn their lesson
obama says going there is evil. the little people get hurt. the union bosses come out ahead in the short run.
the good thing is you don’t have to get reservations on the weekends anymore...you can just walk up and get in...
LOL! I get invites to business conferences in Vegas and I will never go. I would visit Vegas if my other choice was Camden, NJ.
All those SEIU members voting for BO on the floor of the casinos last November believed in Hopey-Changey. Where are they now? (Many of them are back in Mexico after casting their Democrat vote.)
Hey, if anyone knows of screaming deals for nicer vegas hotels and/or shows could you PM me? The wife and I are going there for spring break next year. (no, we don’t gamble) We’re going for entertainment, weather, and upscale restaurants.
Are the hookers having sales events too?
Plus it seems it became a favorite destination for the Gangsta Rap set.
Yup. Bingo!
SEIU = the illegal aliens union and sister to ACORN.
Hillary got punked in Nevada at the caucuses like other states. She had the nomination stolen from her.
Now Las Vegas aka mob slime ball town is hurting. Getting killed with UAW workers who voted for Hussein.
And yet Nevada voted for him. Good Luck Silver State!
also the room cleaners I saw were not Mexican as usual but Korean and Asian
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