| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 29/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 44 |
| Copyright: Other |
Operators strike gold with city’s latest link
Las Vegas market overview by Alan Moore
Non-stop service spurs new itineraries
LAS Vegas is set to become a new gateway to the west when Virgin Atlantic begins the first non-stop scheduled flights between the US resort and London next week.Tour operators are already selling seats on the initial twice-weekly service from Gatwick to Las Vegas, where they are planning to extend short breaks and use the gateway to develop additional western itineraries.
Bookings to the Nevada destination are already outstripping those to many other popular US points.
Premier Holidays North America product manager Debbie Goffin said: “The market has been growing massively year on year. We were 79% up last year over 1998 and are currently 109% up on sales for this year.
“The new non-stop flights will help this increase still further as we expand the product and choice of hotels for next year.”
Thomas Cook Holidays has launched a dedicated Las Vegas brochure supplement on the back of Virgin’s flights, featuring a choice of eight hotels, short breaks and sightseeing trips.
Managing director Simon Laxton said: “Introducing three and four-night options means Las Vegas can be visited as a single destination or incorporated into a larger programme through our bespoke service.”
Getaway Vacations has also launched a US city-breaks programme running until March next year which features the Virgin service, operating on Thursdays and Sundays.
Product manager Dominic Hodson said some of the new direct flights will incur a supplement, depending on the time of year, as most ofthe operator’s flying programme to the resort is based on Continental Airlines’ ex-UK services flying via Newark.
“The resort is a good centre for starting a flydrive and will increase interest in surrounding areas as it will become an alternative to flying into either Los Angeles or Phoenix.”
Funway is offering the latest service in its newly released USA City Breaks brochure that features a wide range of hotel options in Las Vegas.
Managing director Stephen Hughes said Las Vegas is beginning to emerge as a year-round short-break destination as well as a centre for the flydrive market.
The escorted coach-touring market will also benefit from the non-stopservice.
Cosmos general manager North America, Graham Mumford, said: “We are considering extra shorter, escorted itineraries based on theVirgin service as well as tour-and-stay options to Arizona and southern California, with an extended stay in Las Vegas.
“We may even use Las Vegas as an open-jaw destination. Either way it increases significantly the range of options we will be able to offer for both summer and winter.”
Jetsave is also considering new tours based on the Virgin flights.
Product director Alberto Boeri said: “We will probably launch one or two new escorted tours next year that will use Las Vegas as the gateway.
“This will also help us to expand our West Coast itineraries.
“But a twice a week service is a bit limiting in what you can offer – with a daily service you can obviously choose from more departures.”
Accommodation specialist Seligo is adding more five-star hotels in the destination in conjunction with the Virgin flights – the Mandalay Bay and Hotel Paris, from £34-£54 per person per night.
Managing director David Cockerton said: “As an added incentive, agents can offer customers discount shopping vouchers with every Las Vegas booking.
“We are also planning somespecial offers to tie-in with the Virgin launch.”
Look-alike: the Las Vegas New York Hotel is also set to gain from the influx of visitors the new flight and programmes will bring
sample product
latest itineraries
Virgin Atlantic: sample economy return fares between Gatwick and Las Vegas include £407 between June 8-July 14, and £527 from July 15 to the end of August. Upper Class return fares start from around £3,500. A Premium Economy cabin will also be offered.
Getaway Vacations: features new short stays in Las Vegas in its latest City Breaks brochure from £348 for two nights at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, including flights.