Las Vegas Breaks Tourism Record With More Than 40 Million Visitors

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Las Vegas reached a historic milestone, exceeding 40 million visitors for the first time.  The tourism industry in Southern Nevada continues to expand, achieving ten consecutive months of visitor volume increases, with many of those months being the best on record.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7266353-las-vegas-tourism-record-40-million-visitors/

The "Entertainment Capital of the World" has surpassed its record for annual visitation, drawing more than 40 million people with two weeks remaining of the calendar year. Current pacing suggests the destination could approach nearly 41 million visitors by the end of the year.  The previous record was set in 2012 with more than 39,727,000 tourists. 

"Las Vegas couldn't have reached this milestone without the continued investments of our resort partners, and the more than 40 million people who came to experience all the destination has to offer," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).  "Ongoing developments in the destination, including new, renovated and rebranded resort properties, exciting new attractions, world-class entertainment, incredible culinary offerings and more are what keep first-time visitors and loyalists returning to Las Vegas time and time again."

Las Vegas has seen an increase in direct international air service in 2014 with Canada and Mexico proving to be instrumental to visitation growth.

Tourism plays a vital role in the economy of Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas Valley generating more than $45 billion annually and supporting 376,000 local jobs.

To celebrate the 40 million visitor milestone, as only Las Vegas can, the destination created a series of priceless, 'Only in Vegas' experiences and surprised unsuspecting visitors with Las Vegas entertainers, including Penn and Teller, Carrot Top and Claire Sinclair, presenting the one-of-a-kind experiences.  The giveaway items included: incredible suite upgrades at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Palms Las Vegas, dinner for four at CRUSH eat, drink, love at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, thrill-seeking SkyJump experiences at Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, VIP beauty makeovers at Michael Boychuck's COLOR Salon at Caesars Palace and much more.

ABOUT THE LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center.  With more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and nearly 11 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area.  For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.LasVegas.com.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7266353-las-vegas-tourism-record-40-million-visitors/

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/las-vegas-breaks-tourism-record-with-more-than-40-million-visitors-300011033.html

SOURCE Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority