Las Vegas Tries to Stay Alive Amid Coronavirus Crisis
Though vaccinations and lower infection rates are prevalent, the coronavirus crisis still tightly controls Las Vegas, the main center for US casinos. A recent NTV segment highlights the challenges this city is facing even in 2021. The tourists, the primary income source, are incredibly scarce, leading to mass layoffs and years before reaching a full recovery.
A Shadow of Its Former Glory
It's no secret that gambling tourism has crumbled since the first casino closure in Las Vegas. Although it reopened, travel restrictions, rigorous sanitation rules, mask mandates, and a government-enforced reduction in hotel and casino occupancy sparked a slow start. The pandemic's impacts led to long-term shutdowns and redundancies, among other issues.
Reports from NTV affirm that Las Vegas still battles through this crisis in 2021. Casino, hotel, theater, and expo revenue is far less than what it should be. The once bustling tourist traps look like abandoned towns. NTV journalists describe Las Vegas as "a painful standstill" and "an eerie, bizarre scene." Although it used to be known for glitz and glamour, casino gaming, and nightlife, this is no longer the case.
Jesse Garon, an Elvis impersonator, discussed his observations on the ground. "There isn't much left of Las Vegas," he claimed. "It's the first time I've seen this city without people in over 27 years." Once driving the Strip took two hours, but now it takes a mere half-hour. Garon started performing in Las Vegas in 1992 and was part of the city's permanent show ensemble. However, this isn't his Las Vegas anymore.
Las Vegas, located in Nevada, has a habitable area size close to the United States' biggest but only 3 million residents. Most live in Clark County, where Las Vegas is set. Clark County has always focused on tourism. Prior to the pandemic, 42 million tourists would visit the gambling hotspot annually; last year, they recorded just 19 million. A substantial decrease in visitors. MGM Resorts, the casino juggernaut, shed 18,000 employees in September alone. According to management, MGM Resorts' occupancy rate stays below 50%.
The Strip is a Barren Wasteland
The primary indicator of Las Vegas's current state is the Las Vegas Strip - its once-crowded center that had 24-hour activity. The Strip was teeming with cars and people at dawn, and Garon used to lead at least one daily sightseeing tour by vehicle. He hasn't done so since the initial lockout. Garon's wedding business, an iconic Little White Chapel, also ceased. Before the pandemic, around ten percent of tourists visited Las Vegas to get married. The past year has been a halt. Garon now claims to receive food stamps and feels secure wearing a hat in public.
The recent NTV report revealed that Las Vegas is far from its previous peak. The city still thrives, but only a faint shadow of the glittering city it once was. The MGM Grand and other establishments can only operate at 35% capacity. Many places don't open around the clock as they had before the pandemic. Additionally, pools, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs mostly remain shut. The heart of the city, whose economy relies on hospitality and leisure, suffers significantly.
There's been a severe rise in layoffs. The first three months of the pandemic saw 250,000 people unemployed, with experts estimating that tourism accounted for almost all job losses. Las Vegas's economy consists of much more than hotels and casinos. Cab drivers, airport personnel, and other support businesses are also impacted.
Slow Recovery on the Horizon
Economic expert Jeremy Aguero predicts a lengthy return to economic stability in Las Vegas. While reopening has some positive signs, there's no safety net or miracle cure as of now. At least at weekends, bookings are beginning to speed up, per the NTV report. Elvis impersonator Jesse Garon eagerly anticipates resuming his performances. He hasn't played in eight months and currently merely supplements his income by gambling on slot machines. Although he considered leaving Las Vegas multiple times, he still shares hope and believes Vegas will recover like it did previously. "Las Vegas just has to bounce back," Garon says.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
