LAS VEGAS -- New research shows Las Vegas is becoming even more popular among the 20-something crowd. Tourism officials believe the great online travel deals created by this economy -- along with spring break -- may be driving up those younger visitor numbers.
Even without any formal research to support their claims, local tourism officials say spring break is one of the best times of the year for Vegas' youngest adult visitors for a variety of reasons.
The food, the shopping, the gambling, fun and entertainment, it's everything in one place. In spite of the recession, Las Vegas actually saw a slight increase in 2009 in the number of visitors between the ages of 21 and 29.
"About 11 percent of our overall visitation is now within that age demographic," said Vince Alberta, LVCVA.
Tourism officials believe the online travel deals being offered to lure visitors to Las Vegas during this down economy is one of the reasons the city is seeing an increase in young adult visitors.
"There was a 12 percent increase in the number of people booking special package deals online," said Alberta.
Those travel deals coupled with spring break's warmer weather, the opening of many of the resort pool venues, and the many sports events taking place are just natural draws for the college and 20-something crowd.
"I like betting on the sports, all the March Madness, hanging out by the pool and of course, checking out the nightlife," said Chris Witty, Las Vegas visitor.
However overall spending by visitors to Las Vegas remains down. And while the 20-somethings said they planned on spending more than the average $400 per person during their stay most of the young visitors 8 News Now spoke with said squaring up was the last thing they wanted to think about on their Vegas vacation.
"You can't come to Vegas and think about what you're planning to spend," said Phil Sewild who is visiting from San Francisco.
"I'll think about that later when I have to," said Kate Spitz who is visiting from Wisconsin.
While the Las Vegas economy continues to bump along the bottom, local tourism officials say they are encouraged by what signs of life are springing up. Visitor volume has increased for the past five consecutive months and the hope is that spring fever will keep pushing those numbers in the right direction.
