New Year’s Eve in Vegas? It’s Not Too Late

There is still time to book Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve, says Alan Feldman, spokesman for MGM Mirage, the largest hotel-casino operator on the Strip, as the gambling mecca struggles to recover from decreased business.

By this time, New Year’s Eve rooms usually are blocked out by casinos to be held for their regular customers (although unbooked ones may be released closer to Dec. 31). But as of last week, rooms were available in most Vegas hotels, a situation that Feldman called “unprecedented.” He said the main reason is that fewer casino customers from abroad, especially Asia, are expected. Overall revenue at MGM Mirage’s hotels is down about 35%, he added.

Some prices for the holiday also are lower this year. Last week, rooms on New Year’s Eve at the Bellagio were being offered at rates from $659, based on availability, compared with last year’s rate of $899, a spokeswoman said. But the rate at the MGM Grand was higher than last year: $399.95 versus $215. (The hotel has a New Year’s Eve show this year, featuring Neil Diamond, but did not have one last year, which influences room rates.)

Recently on nonholidays it has been possible to obtain same-day tickets to popular shows, which is also unusual, Feldman says.

Despite the slowdown, Las Vegas has bumped Orlando, Fla., out of the top spot in an annual survey that polls travel agents about their customers’ favorite winter destinations in the U.S. Los Angeles ranked sixth in the survey, released earlier this month by the American Society of Travel Agents.