Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/486571
B M & T ••• January/February 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 26 T R AV E L DATA L as Vegas reached a historic milestone, exceeding 40 million visitors for the first time. The tourism industry in Southern Nevada continues to expand, achieving ten con- secutive months of visitor volume increas- es, with many of those months being the best on record. In December the "Entertainment Capital of the World" had surpassed its record for annual visitation, drawing more than 40 million people with two weeks remaining of the calendar year. Current pacing suggests the destination could approach nearly 41 million visitors by the end of the year. The previous record was set in 2012 with more than 39,727,000 tourists. "Las Vegas couldn't have reached this milestone without the continued invest- ments of our resort partners, and the more than 40 million people who came to experience all the destination has to offer," said Rossi Ralenkotter, presi- dent/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors A u t h o r i t y ( L V C V A ) . " O n g o i n g developments in the destina- tion, including new, renovated and rebranded resort proper- ties, exciting new attractions, world-class entertainment, incredible culinary offerings and more are what keep first-time visitors and loyalists returning to Las Vegas time and time again." Las Vegas has seen an increase in direct international air service in 2014 with Canada and Mexico proving to be instrumental to visitation growth. Tourism plays a vital role in the econo- my of Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas Valley generating more than $45 billion annually and supporting 376,000 local jobs. To celebrate the 40 million visitor milestone, as only Las Vegas can, the des- tination created a series of priceless, 'Only in Vegas' experiences and sur- prised unsuspecting visitors with Las Vegas entertainers, including Penn and Teller, Carrot Top and Claire Sinclair, presenting the one-of-a-kind experi- ences. The giveaway items included: incredible suite upgrades at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Palms Las Vegas, dinner for four at CRUSH eat, drink, love at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, thrill-seeking SkyJump experiences at Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, VIP beauty makeovers at Michael Boy- chuck's COLOR Salon at Caesars Palace and much more. LAS VEGAS BREAKS TOURISM RECORD WITH MORE THAN 40 MILLION VISITORS TOURISM INDUSTRY CONTINUES GROWTH IN LAS VEGAS WITH NEW HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, SHOWS AND ATTRACTIONS RECORD TAX COLLECTIONS FOR MIAMI-DADE Miami-Dade County reports record October 2014 collections for the 2% Hotel Food and Beverage Tax collected from hotels in Miami-Dade (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside), which increased 14.7% compared to the same time in 2013. The 3% Convention Development Tax (CDT) was also a record, increasing 6.5% compared to the same time in 2013. The 2% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections were also a record for Greater Miami (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside), increasing 5.9% compared to the same time in 2013. Record Miami-Dade County Tax Collections 2% Hotel Food & Beverage Tax October 2014 – October 2013 % Change vs. 2013 $567,150 $494,287 +14.7% 3% Convention Development Tax October 2014 – October 2014 % Change vs. 2013 $4,564,329 $4,284,048 +6.5% 2% Tourist Development Tax October 2014 – October 2013 % Change vs. 2013 $1,534,264 $1,448,636 +5.9% ROSSI RALENKOTTER