Open Jaw was among travel trade and consumer media on Canada Jetlines' first-ever cross-border flight. The choice of Las Vegas as one of the new leisure airline's first international destinations was strategic, as Jetlines' Chief Commercial Officer, Duncan Bureau, told Open Jaw: "Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and a very popular getaway destination with attractions, professional sports, gambling, and gastronomic delights.”
After the FAM's arrival in Las Vegas, participants were invited to brunch at Matteo’s at the Venetian the following morning. Open Jaw's Karen Dahdah sat down with representatives of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors' Authority to discover what's new that will appeal to Canada Jetline's passengers to the city.
Viva Las Vegas Boom
“Vegas has seen a tremendous amount of growth in the last couple of years, more so than any period that I can remember, given the circumstance of the last two years”, Kristin Weddingfeld, PR Manager for LVCVA told Open Jaw. “With three new properties open, the Circa downtown was the first ground up build since the 80’s, Resorts World and Virgin Hotels which opened in 2021.”
According to LVCVA, last year 38.8M people visited Las Vegas and 5M of those were convention attendees. Canadians still make up the highest visitor numbers, with the exception of 2020/21 when Mexico placed highest, due to relaxed pandemic restrictions.
So what’s coming up the strip? Weddingfeld added, “Las Vegas has got some incredible marquee sporting events, starting with Formula 1 in November, which will close down the strip for the international race and then Super Bowl LVIII the following February 2024.” Las Vegas is also anticipating the opening of the MSG Sphere, an immersive 4D experience with opening act U2 in September 2023.
Selling The Strip
That’s a no brainer for Canadian travel advisors, but more than ever there’s a great opportunity to upsell clients on sporting events, shows, land and air tour add-ons.
“We have a great list of attractions, tours that offer great commissions for the travel agent community”, David Han, Senior Account Director for LVCVA told Open Jaw. “What we have seen especially after COVID is that a lot of travel agents are wanting to upsell, instead of just selling air and hotel, they’re really trying to have a competitive advantage by selling those extras upfront and securing the rates in Canadian dollars."
Han recommends working with companies like Maverick who offer helicopter and land tours of Vegas and the Canyon, Indigo who's responsible for about a dozen shows in Las Vegas, and Cirque du Soleil which offer net rates to travel trade and celebrates three decades of resident shows in Las Vegas this year.
