WTM 2011: Manchester route boosts Las Vegas UK arrivals
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Las Vegas has seen a 16.2% increase in visitors from the UK thanks to re-introduced direct flights from Manchester, it has revealed. The twice weekly service launched in April and has been operating at more than 80% full since its launch.
“Las Vegas has always been an exceptionally strong destination for Virgin Atlantic and since the launch of the route from Gatwick in June 200, the airline has flown more than 2m passengers out there,” said Edmond Rose, director commercial and revenue planning at Virgin Atlantic. “It has been no surprise that the Manchester service is performing fantastically”.
The city’s airport is also building its third terminal which will facilitate UK flights.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas has launched a new agent rewards programme, named Virtuoso Club,alongside its travel agent training programme. “Agents then have access to concession rates for personal holidays, image and video libraries, weekly quizzes and an ‘ask the expert’ instant message function where they can ask the LVCVAUK staff any queries they have on the day,” said Russell Meara, director of sales and marketing for Las Vegas in the UK.
Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of LVCVA told Travel Daily the UK is its most important market and had contributed towards 18 consecutive months of visitor growth (most recently up3.5%). Las Vegas’ Mayor Carolyn Goodman also told Travel Daily that new attractions continue to pop up across the city including a new ‘London Eye’ style attraction, a mob museum and new restaurants, as well as sporting events such as the Rugby 7, which will be held in the city next year. “The Strip is still the core to Las Vegas, while downtown still has the feel of old Vegas,”she said.