LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Conventions and business travel in Las Vegas hit nearly 2 million visitors as of May, suggesting an astronomical recovery in 2022 as figures still follow pre-pandemic tourism levels.
Conventions and business travel spans an $11 billion industry for the Entertainment Capital of the World.
According to a recent report from LVCVA, business travel to May 2022 jumped 878% over the previous year, when only 204,400 people visited Las Vegas from January to May 2021. Business tourism figures are still down 34% compared to the same timeframe in 2019.
According to Clark County Commission Chair Jim Gibson, who sits on the LVCVA board, all pre-pandemic conventions have returned to Las Vegas, but attendance is still down.
“All the shows are still coming back and coming back to town. We’ve signed more special shows than ever before. We keep signing new events every day. We predict maybe 2024 before we fully return. I think people could have made possible arguments earlier,” said Gibson.
Las Vegas has yet to see a full return to international business travel, which is contributing to the dwindling attendance.
“International travel is increasing and increasing, but not completely returning. And it will make a very big difference. Many things that need to be done are beyond our control. When foreign governments have dealt with, or foreigners have dealt with, the impact of COVID on their countries in a way that makes people more comfortable traveling, that will also help,” Gibson said.
The drop in testing requirements for US entry has led to a surge in travelers looking to go overseas this summer. In a sign of optimism for the return of international travel, LVCVA created tourism offices in Mexico, Canada, the UK and Germany–the largest tourism market for Las Vegas.
“Formula One will be here in November 2023. That will really help to open up international travel by itself,” Gibson said.
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