Aug 11
21
Note: If you’re in Las Vegas between Sept. 4th-9th and would be interested in meeting up with me and possibly other Vegas fans, solo travelers, etc., let me know. If there’s any interest, I’ll set something up. . .probably during a happy hour somewhere. 
I am at T-minus 12 days from my trip to San Diego and Las Vegas. I procrastinated my trip planning, so now I’m scrambling to get everything ready and do all the research I need to do. I’m torn about how to approach this trip: The blogger part of me feels like I need to maximize every moment of vacation time to gather new material to blog about. The part of me who is burnt out from my day job and just needs some rest and relaxation during my vacation wants to say to hell with that and just kick back and relax every day. Somewhere in between will lie reality, I expect.
During my trip planning this week I got distracted by the Las Vegas Visitor Study 2010, which can be found at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority website. The visitor demographics are very interesting. Here are some highlights:
Las Vegas
69% of visitors traveled in parties of two. 11% traveled solo. 11% is the exact percentage of all leisure travelers in the entire U.S. who travel alone–34.8 million people, per a 2007 Travel Industry Association survey–so Vegas is right in line with that.
If strollers on the Strip annoy you, take heart: People traveling with individuals under the age of 21 declined to just 7%, down from 10% in 2006.
Only 9% of people reported gambling as their primary reason for visiting Las Vegas in 2010. That doesn’t mean only 9% of people gambled, just that only 9% admitted that gambling was their primary reason for visiting. In actuality, 80% said they had gambled while in Vegas.
This next one surprised me: Only 12% of people who visited Las Vegas in 2010 rented a car (down from 17% in 2006). That’s a much smaller percentage than I expected. For some reason, I always thought I was in the minority by not renting a car.
Another shocker: Only 53% of visitors used the Internet to plan their trip. Really? I definitely expected that figure to be higher. Naturally, you might assume that the other 47% used a travel agent, right? Nope. Only 12% did that. So how did the other 35% plan their trip? Or did they–gasp–show up in Las Vegas without a plan? Only 8% of visitors used social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to plan their trips. About 52% said the Internet influenced their choice of accommodations.
Fremont East District
The good news for Downtown proponents is that the number of Las Vegas visitors who are taking the time to visit Downtown Las Vegas during their trips is up–to a respectable 45%. By far the greatest draw is the Fremont Street Experience (62%). Only 17% stayed Downtown, though. Not surprising, and something that the Downtown hotels are really going to have to work on. The Plaza’s recent renovations are a good start. But from my personal experience, providing visitors with more to do than gamble during the day would be another good idea.
The part of the report that caused my antennae to go up was this:
A whopping 71% of visitors were over 40, and the average age of the Las Vegas visitor was 49.2. (27% of visitors were retirees.)
This should make me happy, since I fall into that majority “over 40″ group. But let’s not kid ourselves. When I look around me in Las Vegas, I see that most of the resorts are pushing activities and promoting an image of themselves that will appeal to the 20-something and early 30-something crowd, not people my age or older. Just because we’re the majority, doesn’t mean we’re being catered to.
The rise of nightclubs and day clubs and beer pong and DJs playing hip-hop and rap is all about the youth market. So essentially, Las Vegas is throwing the majority of its money and attention at a minority of its visitors. Interesting strategy. I wish if they were going to do that, they’d focus on solo travelers.
On that note, I’ve got to get back to trip planning. Don’t forget to let me know if you want to meet up Labor Day Week! If there’s interest, I’ll post date, time, and location here on The Vegas Solo, on Twitter, Google+, and my Facebook page.
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Alas, I must be at work Sept 4 – 9, otherwise I would love to meet up with you! (Darn the schedule of a high school teacher!)
As for the “gather new blog material” vs “rest and relax” tension, I wholeheartedly support the latter — you definitely deserve it.
Bon voyage!
Working on my trip as we speak…the plan is to go by myself…I need the r&r away from people…
LOL, thanks Dave, that would’ve been fun. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I purposely try to go to Las Vegas during Labor Day week, because I know the likelihood that parents will pull their kids out out of school for a vacation so soon after school starts is slim to none. Thus, fewer children on the Strip when I’m there.
I love the stat about how very few people come to Las Vegas specifically to gamble. I think most people believe that percentage is significantly higher.
I hate to tell you this, Rose, but if you’re going to Vegas, you’re not getting away from people.
JoAnna – I know right? I’m sure it was a very different number many years ago, but now. . .there’s so much more to draw people to Vegas. Gambling’s just a small part of it. And yet the perception lingers on.
just relax! you’ll find little nuggets during your relaxing vacation — enough to blog about!
You know, as a twenty-something, I’ve never felt like Vegas was being catered to me. Though that may be because I don’t like loud music, overpriced drinks, and obnoxious frat guys who try to chest bump me every time they hit their point. Still was surprising to find out most visitors are over 40, though – I’d always assumed the clubhoppers were the majority, since there seems to be so many of them.
Anyway, I’ll be in Vegas the 5th through the 9th, so count me interested if anything gets set up during that time.
Cool–you’re there too? I’ll set something up, even if it’s just us. We can grab a drink and chat travel.
Stay tuned….
You do raise a good point, Nate: What happens if you’re in the so-called “target demographic” but your interests are nothing like what they’re pitching to you? My friend Matt Long at Landlopers.com talks about this with LGBT marketing efforts–that a lot of times, marketers make assumptions about a particular group and what they’ll be interested in, without realizing we’re all unique, with varying interests.
Words of wisdom, Jay. I’m going to try to take your advice. I really need some down time right now.
Gray — I agree with your statement that Las Vegas’ LGBT marketing push is sometimes off the mark. Not once have I seen an LGBT affinity ad for Las Vegas that hit home with me. Then again, I suppose that I might not be their target for those ads — after all, I’m a dedicated gambler, so it’s not like Las Vegas has to try very hard to convince me to visit.
The ads I’ve seen in LGBT publications seem to be pushing a “come party in Las Vegas” theme — a lot of times, they don’t even mention the casinos.
Gray thanks for email , would be interested in meeting up sounds like fun especially the travel chat! Maybe follow with a bite to eat at a restaurant week location? I also am in my 40′s , not into clubbing and dont really take the wardrobe to Vegas for anything too glam !! but love nice bars & meals out. I fly in from UK on 4th Sept so that night out but count me in for 5th onwards , I dont leave until 15th – staying at MGM grand.
Tend to spend days around pool, walking the strip , bit of gambling although only slots and video poker to date, would love to try craps , trying to read up to feel confident enough to have a go!
Also interested in going to shows if any bargain tickets about , went last time to Jersey Boys & Beatles cirque show on own last time which was great , there are a couple of shows this time I would like to see but they are cabaret seating which I think is better with someone else !!
Looking to go on that mob tour one night as love the film Casino – anyone know if any good?
Also seen a buggy tour in Red Rock canyon that looks good but needs 2 people
5 more working days to go (I dont count the weekends)
Bye for now Sharon (lives near Mancester in North West of England)
Dave – Interesting, eh? They definitely do not market to gamblers any more, except in targeted emails to those of us with players cards. I never see casino ads to the general public. I’ve noticed LGBT marketing for other cities that seem to push the gay nightclub scene a LOT–as if you’re not going to be interested in all the other things a city has to offer, just like everyone else? Good grief.
Glad to hear you’re in, Sharon! I’m thinking about Tuesday the 6th, around 4pm. Trying to think of a central Strip location that would be convenient for everyone. Maybe the Chandelier bar at the Cosmopolitan?
Looks lovely , fine for me
To be honest, we don’t usually plan our trips that much. I’m heading to Aria for a week starting September 18. My partner goes to Vegas every September for an anti-money laundering convention. Last year it was at Mandalay. We go every September for the convention (free trip!!) and then once or twice more during the summer.
This summer we went to MGM Grand (3rd time).
We always plan on going to a show or 2 and we take a trip to the outlet malls (in Primm and the outlet in the North end), but aside from that we don’t plan it.
This time around I want to plan it. I’ve been researching Aria, Monte Carlo, and Bellagio for things to do in those hotels since we’ll be staying at Aria. I had a glass of wine, so I’m not sure this is making sense.
Who has suggestions?
I’d like to see Peep Show at Planet Hollywood. I want to check out the “secret” pizzeria at Cosmo. I want to go to 1 outlet mall, and the Fashion Show mall again. I want to see if Sur La Table has improved (in July it was a mess). I want to catch a fountain show or 2 at Bellagio. There’s a new pizzeria at Paris (I like pizza). I want to go back to PF Changs. The garlic snap peas are amazing!
What else should I check out? The dolphin habitat?
I’ve been about 13 times, so I’m not new to Vegas, but I’d like to plan my days so I get the most. Maximum Vegas. How MGM
I wish I could meet up with all of you. Maybe next time. I head back in January. Planning a week at Treasure Island.
@Jay – I wish you could be there, too! Maybe next time. In terms of things to do, have you checked out my Things To Do tab, above? Lots of ideas there. If you’ve never seen the Dolphin Habitat, I do recommend it. There’s a new baby dolphin there now. Have you done the Las Vegas Mob Experience yet at the Tropicana? That’s on my list for this trip.
I just found a coupon for the Mob Experience. Might try that.
I LOVE Tropicana.
Where’d you find the coupon, Jay?
http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponlasvegasmobexperience.html
$10 off admission