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 )
That's a good one... Low room rates cause violence, usually they cause celebration for everyone I know! Did Someone really say this? They must have been joking right??
I went to Vegas 2 times in the past couple of months, n there's nothing but thugs now. There's definitely a different crowd now. Nothing but lowlives. I won't be taking myself or my fam anytime soon
Stayed at Harrah’s for a few days a couple of weeks ago. My wife and I usually go to Vegas once or twice a year. The crowd is very different now....felt very unsafe at night on the strip. We won’t go back for a while. Hopefully when the shows, bars and nightclubs reopen it will improve. Too many people just hanging out trying to start trouble.
Ok seriously did some idiot just say that the rioters are really republicans acting like democrats to get trump re-elected. Wow that just insane and so stupid
I'm here right now no crazy crowd no fear in walking riding around as a matter of fact it's a little too quiet . Don't see any influence from any part of political party. But then again I'm a grown mature man who make my own decisions
This is what happens when the left embraces chaos. All who disagree are labeled as racists. You're either for looting and violence or you're a racist. No middle ground. You either support having a rapist's name on NFL helmets or you're a racist. Good message to teach kids. Sexually assault someone and you'll be honored!
Too many blacks now. I frequent Vegas twice a year and never before i see many blacks on the strips.
No, don't try blaming it on the Dems!!! Weak & phony excuse!!! Blame your "commander in chief" who has done nothing but incite violence & kill the american people!!! Perhaps, if he would have done his job, & not destroyed everything the previous administration put in place, we wouldn't even be in this situation!!! How about that!!! This is not just a Vegas problem, it's happening in lots of places. IT IS because of the low rates. People are going crazy wanting a taste of the life that they otherwise probably couldn't afford or want to pay for. It's happening all over!!!
Actually its the madk requirement that is keeping people and conventions away... Good luck Vegas. Hope you survive.
Dustin , you are totally right, I can't say it better than you. And this socialist-communist desease is controling our beautiful country
Idiot every mf thing that goes wrong are not liberals or Democrats. Last I checked Dump is the President and if you had dog sense. You would know. The last several President the country wasn't in this shit. So go suck Dump Dick and while your at it. Drink some disinfectant. Stupid brainwashed piece of shit.
Caesars is a JOKE!! Don’t stay at any of their properties They do not care about you just your money!!! New owners are terrible !!! Do not go there !!! It’s a unsafe joke !!! Even for low rates or free parking Stay safe and stay away!!!
CHUMP is ultimately the blame for ALL of this! He knew COVID-19 was not a good thing and down played it like it was just like the flu. It spread across the United States like crazy his followers resisting wearing masks because of the examples he sets! Thus we still have not recovered. Time for new leadership that believes in science. Vote for Biden!!!
My husband works for ceases and he even said the people who are coming get a cheap room but they dont spend any money and act a fool. Versus when they reopened when people were gettong cheap rooms but were at least putting money toward our economy. We are suffering here, our governor is an idiot who just wont open us up and has spent. All the rainy day fund that could have helped us on 2 planes he never uses, says that carson city is his priority by going " well i live here now not clark county"., and the only jobs i can get now are low paying. Las Vegas is suffering and rid raffle coming here is the worst. I cant even go to some of our grocery stores without being disgusted, the people in them now , especially near the strip or downtown are terrible.
Politics have nothing to do with the problem it's the young crowd