Just as the problem with Atlantic City, NJ, casinos, many people who traveled to Las Vegas last year gamble less, this according to the recently released 2012 Las Vegas Visitor Profile Study.
The study, done for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, focused their findings thanks to interviews with about 3,600 out-of-towners aged 21 and older at sites around the city.
The study showed that only 72 percent gambled while in Vegas, down from 77 percent in 2011. But stated gaming budgets averaged $484.70, up from $447.63 in 2011. 14 percent said their room rates were taken care of by casino resorts ('comped"), down slightly from years past (16% in 2011, 17% in 2008).
However, spending on shopping and lodging went up.
The average expenditure for shopping was $149.29, higher than $129.34 in 2011. But the typical visitor spent $265.11 on food and drink, down from $274.69 in 2011.
USA Today, states that perhaps (the finding) is a bit surprising "considering the proliferation of pricey, celeb-chef restaurants in Las Vegas. Visitors spent $42.89 on average for show tickets, down from $47.52 in 2011."
Another interesting spotlight was on marriage numbers:
As in recent years, three quarters of visitors were married, and about half were from the West (coast of America). However, USA Today points out that "the average age of visitors is dropping: It was 49 in 2011 and 44.8 last year. In 2011, 70% of visitors were 40 or older, vs. 58% last year."
The study also encompassed internet bookings and the amount of people attending conventions or trade shows.
"60 percent of the people surveyed used the Internet to plan the trip, a 5 percent increase from 2011, and a 16 percent jump from 2008--just 9 percent of visitors surveyed said they attended a convention, trade show or corporate meeting while in the city, down from 10 percent in 2011 and 12 percent in 2008.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
