Las Vegas Tourism Industry Booming as Restrictions Are Lifted, Demand Increases

As the travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic and coronavirus-related restrictions are being lifted, tourism officials in Las Vegas revealed data that suggests the destination flourished in March.

With the city hosting a NASCAR race, an MMA bout and NCAA basketball events last month, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority told The Associated Press it welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors in March, an increase of nearly 50 percent from the 2.2 million tourists registered in March 2021.

At Harry Reid International Airport, officials said the facility welcomed nearly 4.3 million passengers in March, down only about 140,000 from its pre-pandemic total in March 2019. In 2019, the airport tallied a record 51.5 million travelers.

As for international travelers, the airport said the 154,000 passengers was up more than 50 percent from February. International flights are scheduled to increase in April with additional service to cities in Mexico, Canada, Panama, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said trade shows and conventions have come roaring back and hotel occupancy at the more than 150,000 rooms in and around Las Vegas topped 80 percent.

The state Gaming Control Board reported the $1.35 billion casinos statewide earned in March was just shy of the record-breaking monthly mark of $1.36 billion set last July.

Earlier this month, Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Egan Escape Productions announced a partnership launching in Las Vegas this fall that will bring fans the newest escape room experience inspired by one of the most horrifying film franchises of all time, IT.

Dubbed Escape IT, the more than 30,000-square-foot facility will offer fans two multi-room escape adventures that bring the highest-grossing horror film of all time to life.