Vegas is still a top vacation destination

James Behrendt, Henderson

Thursday, June 12, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

Regarding the Sunday letter to the editor from Roger Strahan of Denton, Texas, headlined “Average Joe no longer can afford Vegas”:

Mr. Strahan claims the casual working-class tourist can no longer afford to come here to vacation. These visitors do not come here in great numbers because gas prices have gone through the roof.

But the casual working-class visitor has been replaced by thousands of Europeans who can purchase a $1 item for 65 euro cents. Our dollar has declined to 65 cents against their euro.

They are coming in great numbers with empty suitcases and buying our goods at record low prices. There are positives to that, as it keeps Americans working. My son works at a restaurant on the Strip and is learning German so he can communicate with the many Germans who come here for vacation.

It really goes both ways, because people in the Las Vegas Valley are staying home and spending their money here, which also helps our local economy.

My son and I visit friends and relatives in San Diego every year. Instead of $85 for gas round trip, it would now be $150 round trip. The hotel we used to stay at was $89 a night, and now it is $169 a night. If we were to stay at a budget motel, the trip would be compromised.

I believe that because Las Vegas is a top vacation destination in America, it may be prudent financially to just stay put and have our friends and relatives come here. We are still a better bargain than most of California’s major cities.