[DavieJ89]

I cant think of how many people I know back east who dream of coming to Vegas for their 21st birthdays

Vegas will never lose its tourist appeal or suffer a Detroit like fate. A majority of employers not just in Vegas but the entire country over corrected when it came to layoffs. A lot of these layoffs werent done to keep companies from going under, they were done to keep maintaining their profits as high as they were back in 2003-2007. A lot of these layoffs were unnecessary. The fact of the matter is, people are STILL spending money and buying things, BUT they are simply spending differently or they are spending smarter, but its still being spent. A lot of people will and still are living beyond their means, many who changed due to this economy will probably return to their old ways once the economy recovers which is good news for Vegas. It's like Robert DeNiro said in the movie Casino

In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing and to keep them coming back. The longer they play, the more they lose, and in the end, we get it all.

It may take longer for the economy to recover but once it does, people will return more and spend more

[dynimagelv]

Nope it's not....There's a sucker born every minute....that makes an endless supply.

[jhiker1o]

My relatives from CA were just here a few days ago. They stayed in a Time Share property, Wyndham. They were here dining, shopping and little bit of gambling. As long as the casinos and resorts do not take advantage of the people visiting our city, Vegas will always have visitors and those resort fees they need to get rid of. Harrahs is now advertising their properties do not charge resort fees. Good for them. We were on the Strip and the large screen at Planet Hollywood was showing info regarding their properties not charging these ridiculous fees.

[PinkString]

Tourists are still here in droves every day of the week. I believe Las Vegas will be just fine.

[DavieJ89]

Originally Posted by PinkString

Tourists are still here in droves every day of the week. I believe Las Vegas will be just fine.

Wanted to rep you but I need to spread the love first

I totally agree with you, Vegas will be ok

[mojavedxer]

Declining gaming revenues since 06 have already showed the proof. Will Vegas wither up and die? No. But it will have to reinvent itself again to be successful again. Every place in town is limping along and taking the wait and see approach. This is the time to buy a few shares in a couple of gaming stocks if you can understand what going on behind closed doors.

[airics]

Originally Posted by jhiker1o

Harrahs is now advertising their properties do not charge resort fees. Good for them. We were on the Strip and the large screen at Planet Hollywood was showing info regarding their properties not charging these ridiculous fees.

Of course they aren't charging the resort fees, they just raised the base rates!

[jhiker1o]

Originally Posted by airics

Of course they aren't charging the resort fees, they just raised the base rates!

Common practice with other properties is the ADDITIONAL CHARGES UPON CHECK IN. It's a different story when you know how much you are being charged. Additional resort fees at the time of check in at the Front Desk just to gouge a few more dollars from visitors is not the way to sell Vegas and invite return visitors. This is an issue for many visitors to Las Vegas and the reason why Harrahs is promoting their "No Resort Fee" policy.

[jfkIII]

The only thing that could kill Las Vegas, IMO, would be a major terrorist attack. The terrorists are smart people...and they love to make a big impact.

Have you ever seen people walking through a casino and stopping to play some slots with a suitcase in tow? How about a nice big bag from shopping at The Fashion Mall? Can't any suitcase, bag be checked in at The Bell Desk...no info given? Any of these things can contain bombs...and anyone can be a suicide bomber.

How about the boys checking in for the Bachelor Party Weekend...20 to the penthouse suite. Many unchecked bags (at least 20!) could easily enter an area that size without suspicion...and all containing explosives.

And what about the 70's VW van entering the parking garage...loaded with explosives and parked...a la Oklahoma bombing. What about a concerted effort of hitting different rooms thoughout the hotel...with bombs in suitcases in different rooms, timed to go off simultaneously? Heck...that van (or hummer with the tinted windows) could be duplicated and parked in multiple parking garages...all timed to go off at once...up and down The Strip.

It never ceases to amaze me of the lack of security measures employed by the casino industry. Sure, there's "the eyes in the sky"...looking for cheaters and anything out of the ordinary...but before the bomb goes off, a suitcase in the casino, or a van parking in the garage appears to be a very ordinary occurrence. I'm sure the tapes (if they survive) will be combed through, after the fact, looking for the terrorists...but by then, it's way too late.

If something like this were to occur...not only in a Las Vegas casino...but any casino (or sets of casinos at once)...there would be many deaths...and that would strike fear of entering casinos. THAT would kill Las Vegas.

How to protect before it happens? Each car entering the parking garage should be searched like they do at a border crossing. Each bag...and each person entering, should be screened as they do at an airport. Will they do this?....absolutely not. At least, not before such an event happens. The casino industry doesn't want people scared to go into casinos...after all, you're supposed to enter a fantasy world, where we all exit as happy millionaires. Not to mention the cost to the casinos for providing such measures.

Just a crazy scenario...I know. An action movie, right? But truly feasible ones for terrorists, who will go to any length, to carry it out. Next time you're in a casino...just look for places that bombs could be disguised. Every woman's pocketbook could hold a small bomb...enough to take out a blackjack table...or more.

That, IMO, could kill Las Vegas...and the gambling industry...completely. It's not like The World Trade Towers...where people have to continue to work, live and commute. They get past it out of necessity. But no one HAS TO gamble at casinos after an event like that.

I remember when Tom Ridge (ex-governor, PA) was appointed as Secretary of Homeland Security after 9-11, he said something to the effect (not exact quote): To catch these terrorists, one has to not only think like them...but think of it before they do....and take action to prevent it.

Just food for thought.

[skisickie]

The world trade center area or ground zero site attracts many visitors. Maybe even more after the attack, so that probably wouldn't do it either.

I live here and I love the visitors. I think I am so much more popular since moving here!
The history, newness, glitz, food, entertainment you cannot get anywhere else.
Las Vegas will never be a town like detroit. Go visit that city and see what I mean.