Low Room Rates in Las Vegas Responsible for Labor Day Violence: Analyst
Posted on: September 9, 2020, 03:05h.
Last updated on: September 10, 2020, 07:41h.
A spike in violence on the Las Vegas Strip over Labor Day weekend is a direct result of rock-bottom room rates. That’s according to Greg Mullen, vice president of CDC Consulting, who told the Las Vegas Review-Journal this week he believes the drop in prices during the coronavirus pandemic is attracting the wrong sort of person.
Occupancy rates have plummeted because of the pandemic, which means operators are offering low rates, or even free rooms, plus travel incentives to the mass market, rather than just high rollers.
Cheap retail rates for the hotel rooms (and) free rooms are going to the players that have never had free rooms in Las Vegas,” Mullen said. “They’re going deeper in their database to get players who aren’t as lucrative because it’s better just to get a body in there.”
The result? The destruction of rooms is at an all-time high at some high-end properties, according to Mullen, and meanwhile, videos with titles like “Fight in ENCORE HOTEL LAS VEGAS LABOR WEEKEND 2020” are getting 40,000-plus views on YouTube.
Wynn to Raise Rates
A Wynn Resorts spokesperson confirmed to LVRJ that a large brawl had taken place at Encore over the weekend, adding that the company planned to buck the trend by bumping up room rates and hiring more security.
Las Vegas Metro Police told a press conference on Tuesday that the downtown area command had arrested 28 people on Friday alone, and issued 27 citations.
People coming here to have fun and take part in the festivities … we welcome you,” said Capt. Patricia Spencer, head of the downtown area command. “For those of you coming here to prey on the tourists or residents of this community, it will not be tolerated.”
Mullen says that operators will need to find a skillful balance between prices that are high enough to keep out undesirables, and low enough to maintain a healthy rate of occupancy — at least until the virus is suppressed to a point where conventions and concerts can return to the Strip.
‘Scared to Go Outside’
But Mullen is concerned that the current climate could damage the reputation of Las Vegas for a long time to come.
“Several of our higher-end profile clients say their high-end guests are done coming until this is under control,” he said. “They’re scared to walk outside their rooms, and don’t feel safe on elevators or on the casino floors themselves. It’s a bad look. … You can really, severely, put a tarnish on Las Vegas.”
Las Vegas is in “uncharted waters,” he added.
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Last Comments ( 191 )
Yes. Our media continues to blame those not at fault, for being the problem, and make no mention of people’s own responsibilities. Disgusting journalism hacks
Holy Smokes this comment list is full of Boot Licking, Rat licking racists. Enjoy your Corona you idiots and stay the hell out of my city.
What are you talking about ?
While I cannot dispute research and fact, I want to say the entire tone of this article is classist and racist as all get out. Clearly written by a pissed off white guy. Instead of blaming the destruction of Billionaires' property on poor people, you could place the blame where it really lies. Anyone at all who is STUPID enough to leave home during a pandemic is responsible for this damage.
I have flown back and forth from LA to Las Vegas three times during Covid and can tell you the demographic has changed. They should interview SWA flight attendants and ask them. I feel badly for them because the low class crowd is boisterous, obnoxious, and disrespectful. Flight attendants have to babysit these miscreants with zero respect for fellow travelers, asking them repeatedly to turn off their phones, turn down their Bluetooth speakers, put their seats up, sit down during taxiing, stow bags, put on their masks, Verbal and physical fights, etc etc. Recent events have emboldened these people who feel entitled to act abhorrently. Sky Marshall’s need to step in as policing these people on flights is a Federal concern which flight attendants should not need to endanger themselves to do; they do not get paid enough! A lawsuit is brewing if the air lines and travel authorities don’t get this under control.
Cheap rooms definitely pull Vegas into the gutter crowd. These people believe they can act out, destroy property and intimidate good people. Not in Vegas, I doubt you'll see those clown acts return. Better to have high prices & no bottom feeders.
Ever since the $600 federal money has dried up, things have gotten more normal here in Vegas (i.e. not so urban). I like seeing people have a good time and blow money. When I've asked folks about their trip, most of them admit they've never been here before. That's cool-- I always enjoy a Vegas virgin. The real problem? Authorities are afraid to call people out on their bad behavior. Let's face it, if they did then the racist card would be dealt. Who wants to combat that in today's climate? I seriously believe a large segment of our current lower income crowd has no idea that they're doing anything out of the ordinary. Vegas has a reputation for being wild, after all. If you don't want people to come and do their thing, then either tell them to stop, alter the venue (rap, really?), or price them out. You can't blame the crowd if you're handing them everything they want--and legal weed--on the government's dime.
Blacks just acting black. I don't understand what is so surprising here to see. Everywhere in this town there is stoking black animosity towards anyone who isn't black.
They are writing this cuz there was a large crowd of African-Americans visiting on labor day weekend (as i noticed) and not the high white crowds as used to be..
I was in Vegas... Paris in June and Caesars in August. We were there for Juneteenth and saw a beautiful parade of cops protecting the strip. None of the protestors did anything harmful! At Caesars, it was busy on August 17th but nothing bad happened! The staff on both properties were on top of making sure people wore masks and socially distanced! I call bullshit on those that are trying to make it seem that the strip is unsafe! Get a life and stop making up "FAKE NEWS"..words from our famous LYING LEADER
Wow what an insightful and thoughtful take. Obviously random brawls are the fault of liberals. What other possible explanation is there? Genius!
The smoking weed everywhere you turn is groos... And the Undisireables are the ones smoking. The homeless/druggies also tarnish the experience. VEGAS clean up the mess or loose the rest of us.
I live in Vegas and let me tell you its a zoo here, alot of rachet low class group of people acting like animals , i dont need to say you should understand the demographic.
I was just there for three days and there’s an unspoken thing going on here, those who we shall not name. We all know how to read between the lines, so that’s all I will say.
I drove my cab Labor day weekend. The drunks on the scooter chairs were out of control driving in the streets and going through the crosswalks against their red light to wait. The "Urban" folks get into a cab....complain about the price almost as soon as they sit down and don't know the meaning of the word TIP. Last weekend was Low Clasas and No Class. Alot of people will never return when they don't feel safe. Las Vegas just looked DESPERATE and SAD !!! People smoking weed anywhere and everywhere.