“Even if You Were in Vegas Last Year, There’s a Good Reason to Come Back”
~ Words and image by Vickie Sam Paget, Sky Blue Content ~
CT meets Kelly Sawyer, international sales executive at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, during the organization’s recent trade mission to Canada
How is business from Canada?
Canada is our largest international market. We find that Canadians stay a little bit longer. The average stay for the States is just over three nights, but it’s a little bit longer than that for the Canadian market. We anticipate business going up this year. Most of the people I’ve spoken to in Canada have seen an uptake in their business.
Why do you think Las Vegas is such a big hit with Canadian travellers?
Vegas still offers amazing value. And it’s not just the gambling that attracts them, it’s the dining, the shopping, the entertainment and the new attractions that are constantly opening. So even if you were in Vegas last year, there’s a good reason to come back.
Do you have any tips to help travel agents close sale?
Some of the hotels and attractions are offering added-values, like ‘buy two nights and get the third free’ or a free trip to Laughlin. Some of the nightclubs offer larger commissions or bottle service because it’s such a competitive market in Las Vegas. Look for the value-adds; ask about them. It’s hard to get the word out about all of them, but you can find them on our Commissionable Vegas website.
www.lasvegas.com/travel-professionals/commissionable.
This interview first appeared in CT Magazine, a monthly publication for Canadian travel agents.
