Super Bowl, Chinese New Year align for big weekend

By Amanda Finnegan

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

Two of city’s most popular events — the start of Chinese New Year and the Super Bowl — will collide this weekend, bringing thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects about 275,000 visitors to travel to Las Vegas for the weekend, up slightly from the 267,000 people who visited the city for the Super Bowl last year. The numbers only include those staying Friday and Saturday night, the LVCVA noted.

And there’s more good news for Las Vegas’ battered tourism industry.

Unlike most holidays since the economic downtown, visitors are expected to spend more during their stay this weekend. The estimated nongaming economic impact is projected to be $85.6 million, a 3 percent increase from $83.1 million last year, according to the LVCVA.

In addition, the Nevada Gaming Control Board expects $82.7 million to be wagered on the Super Bowl throughout Nevada casinos, up 8.3 percent from $81.5 million.

Las Vegas resort executives have noted the Chinese New Year and Super Bowl weekend are two of the busiest and most profitable periods of the year. The events paired — along with UFC 126 — is expected to amplify the impact.

The LVCVA expects citywide occupancy at nearly 84 percent, up from about 82 percent from last year.

Travel and ticketing booking website Vegas.com, a sister company of the Las Vegas Sun, said room sales are up 17 percent compared to last year, a possible result of the combination of events this weekend.

Average daily room rates for rooms booked on Vegas.com are up 3 percent from $108 last year to $111 this year.

Vegas.com is advertising last-minute rates such as $300 at the Cosmopolitan, $239 at the Bellagio, $108 at the Palms and $127 at Mandalay Bay, where UFC 126 is being held Saturday night.

Caesars Palace and Rio President Gary Selesner said Caesars Entertainment resorts are all expected to be near capacity for the Chinese New Year holiday, which will last until mid-February.

“The holiday is always a busy time for Caesars Palace, but this year in particular because it lands on top of Super Bowl. Each of those are busy times, so the two of them together is going to be spectacular,” Selesner said. “It’s clearly one of the most important periods of the whole year.”

MGM Resorts International spokeswoman Yvette Monet said booking volumes at the resorts are slightly better than last year, despite inclement weather hindering some travelers getting to Las Vegas.

Greg Shulman, vice president of international marketing for Bellagio, said the Super Bowl brings out an international crowd as well as domestic.

“When you talk about Super Bowl weekend, we do a tremendous amount of volume from Mexico City, a lot of volume from Latin American,” Shulman said. “There will be a diverse customer base in town this weekend.”