And with New Year's Day falling on Monday, analysts say visitors may extend their stays, possibly giving a bottom-line boost to Strip casino operators.
Bookings look pretty positive, and that bodes well for Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority estimates 263,000 visitors will celebrate New Year's here this year, compared with 251,000 last year. The authority also is predicting 91 percent occupancy for the city's 123,000 rooms, compared with 85 percent a year earlier. The 85 percent mark was well below the once-projected 99 percent rate Strip casino operators boldly predicted in early 1999, before fears of a Y2K computer problem reached fever pitch. Kevin Bagger, a senior research analyst with the convention authority, attributed the projected increases in visitor numbers and hotel occupancy to the absence of worrisome problems, the drawing power of newly opened megaresorts and better room rates. Last year, Strip casino operators set year-end room rates that were as much as five times higher than prior holiday rates.