Report by Steve
Jones
LAS VEGAS has
finally shed its image as a gambling-only city as more families than ever head
for the bright lights and giant hotels, Premier Holidays has said.
The city has
replaced Los Angeles as the operator’s top selling US destination after a 64%
increase in visitor numbers in 2000 while the average length of stay as
virtually doubled in the last two years to four and a half nights.
Premier long haul
director Rob Haynes said said the success was down to the investment in hotels
and facilities over the past five years.
“From being a
destination mainly for gamblers Las Vegas has gone all out to attract
‘ordinary’ holidaymakers,” said Haynes. “It has turned itself into
what is now virtually a giant theme park with spectacular themed hotels. It has
become a must see destination for all visitors to the western US.”
Los Angeles is
second in the top ten followed by New York, Orlando, San Francisco, San Diego.
In Premier’s best
selling states, California has moved above Florida for the first time to take
top spot with the sunshine state relegated to second spot.
Nevada retains its
third place with New York, Arizona and Massachusetts unchanged in fourth, fifth
and sixth places respectively.