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Representatives from the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority have insisted that the destination’s record-breaking expansion is not at odds with sustainable tourism principles.
Last year Las Vegas passed a record 41.1 million overall arrivals, and Rafael Villaneuva, director of international sales, said the city was on track to exceed that in 2015.
“In the next six to eight weeks we will get close to or hit 42 million,” he said.
There are 150,000 hotels rooms in the city, and he said average occupancy rates meant that 127,000 of those were full at any one time.
Councilman Ricki Barlow, a member of the LVCVA board of directors, said sustainability was something that Las Vegas prided itself on: “In the past we’ve been seen as a city of implosion rather than preservation, but a number of regulations have now been passed to ensure that we have a city that is defined by high-end, sustainable, eco-friendly products, such as the Aria Resort, which is one of the largest, but most eco-friendly buildings of its size.”
Villaneuva added: “We want Las Vegas to be there for future generations, and we will leave it in a better position than we found it.”
One example they highlighted of an eco-friendly new development was pedestrian walkway, The Park, an outside space between Monte Carlo and New York, New York hotels.
Although this will be the city’s first green space, Barlow assured that it will not abuse the desert city’s precious water resources: “A lot of time of money has been invested to give the Park a genuine green feel, and there will be opportunities for folks to be among trees and grass, but there is some great foliage that grows well in the desert. The city has done a great job of taking care of its water,” he added.
When the Park opens in late 2016, it will be lined with retail outlets and lead to a 20,000-seat arena: “It will be the most modern, up-to-date arena of its kind in the US,” said Villaneuva. “There will be boxes for high spenders and it will be a fully flexible space, with the latest lighting, screens and PA systems.”
Opening in 2017 is Resorts World Las Vegas, an Asia-themed property with 4,000 rooms. It will have a miniature Great Wall, and a panda exhibition.
“With the theme, we are going after the Asian market,” said Villanueva. “But with the quality of service and product, it will cater for every market. There’s an impeccable expectation of service associated with the Asian hospitality industry.”
