Increased convention activity helped spike August attendance in Las Vegas, setting a high-water mark for that month based on year-by-year numbers that are running ahead of projections. According to a senior analyst for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the area is on pace to hit 38.7 million visitors this year. That figure would rank marginally ahead of 2005’s 38.6 million visitors. August totals accounted for 3.3 million visitors, a 2.7 percent increase based on 2005 figures.

Of note, MAGIC International’s gathering at the Las Vegas Convention Center – held between Aug. 28-31 – accouted for 105,000 attendees alone as part of 262 more conventions that helped aid the industry at a 53.3 percent clip for the month. All told, 609,595 attendees played their part in a 3.4 percent increase over the first six months of 2006.

Overall room occupancy were running healthy at a 90.7 percent clip (a two percent increase) while motels, however, dropped 2.2 percent. Higher fuel prices were cited as a possible drag on those figures, lowering the number of budget-conscious visitors. It is hoped that a recent drop in gasoline costs might benefit the industry, as more disposable income is found for people planning trips despite a slowing economy. 

- Rex Harris