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Las Vegas – It’s one of the most visited cities in all of the United States, and now as it further reopens with recently extending capacity limits, Sin City is bracing for a massive tourism boom over the next few weeks.
A ‘perfect storm’ of flights returning with rock bottom prices and a nation full of eager travelers with major cases of cabin fever means Vegas may surpass its visitor forecasts for spring break and Easter holiday.
On March 15, 2021 Governor Steve Sisolak signed the approval process to increase the capacity limits in Nevada, up to 50%. With the state's positivity rate falling to only 5.7% and now with over 100 million Americans having received their first dose of the vaccine, Nevada is gearing up to once again receive huge tourism numbers.
Currently, the state of Nevada does not have any quarantine or testing requirements for visitors.
Nevada’s ‘Roadmap to Recovery plan’, which now allows 50% capacity, a level not seen since fall 2020, includes establishments like:
- Restaurants and bars
- Casinos
- Arcades
- Racetracks
- Bowling alleys
- Mini-golf
- Pool halls/billiards rooms
- Amusement and theme parks
Live shows and events are also allowed to resume under 50% capacity rules. They can automatically resume if they hold less than 250 people. Events and shows wanting to allow more than 250 people, as long as they’re still utilizing 50% capacity rules can submit a special request form. 40 ticketed shows have already returned, with more expected to apply for permits.
Swarms of crowds were already reported on the strip yesterday, the very same day the capacity limits were increased. More tourists are expected to come in droves as March Madness, Easter and spring break are just around the corner.
Tourists are still being asked to observe social distancing and wear masks, but photos and videos from Monday have surfaced showing packed casino floors and herds of visitors not abiding by the rules.
Another major signal for tourism recovery for the city is the fact that over 160 million households are expected to receive stimulus checks this month, which some Americans intend to spend on domestic travel, leisure and entertainment. Vegas is more than happy to be a recipient for stimulus spending, as the city saw more than 42 million visitors in 2019, but dropped down to below 19 million in 2020.
Airlines across the nation have been scrambling to add back additional Vegas routes as the demand soars. Over 50 U.S. cities are flying direct to Vegas in March and April, many being under $50 one-way, with the lowest prices we’ve seen coming in at $19.
Some examples:
- San Francisco to Vegas on Frontier $19
- Los Angeles to Vegas on Spirit $20
- Seattle to Vegas on Spirit $22
- Philadelphia to Vegas on American $30
- Dallas to Vegas on Spirit $30
- Minneapolis to Vegas on Sun Country $39
- New York to Vegas on United $49
- Miami to Vegas on JetBlue $70
- Louisville to Vegas on Allegiant $70
Hoteliers are already reporting soaring booking rates for the next few weeks, some even describing the rising interest as “through the roof”.
Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom told local TV station that he expects Vegas is “ready to explode” again with visitors, pleading “Come to Las Vegas, but truthfully, there’s no place that’s following the restrictions more than we are,”
Read More:
- The U.S. saw the most air travelers in over 1 year this weekend
- Covid-19 Travel Insurance for Americans
- Complete A-Z list of countries open for American tourists in 2021
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.