Convention surge drives up Las Vegas tourism in September

September was a month of dualities for Las Vegas.

While tourism numbers rose only slightly for the city with a 5.5 percent increase over September 2010, convention attendance soared with a 49.1 percent increase over the same period.

In all, 3.29 million tourists visited Las Vegas in September, but 434,373 of them attended conventions.

The numbers mark the 19th consecutive gain in same-month in prior-year comparisons.

"It shows that our efforts are working, and we will continue to share that message," said Scott Russell, senior research manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The 49.1 percent increase in convention attendance is attributed to scheduling differences from last year.

The Pack Expo, which last was in Las Vegas in 2009, added 39,000 attendees, and the Vision Expo in October last year added about 14,000 people to September's numbers.

New shows added more than 30,000 attendees. In all, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority logged about 20 new conventions this year.

The number of conventions and meetings held in Las Vegas in September was up 8 percent.

Also notable was a 14.6 percent increase in the average daily room rate, which went from $97.25 in September 2010 to $111.46 in September 2011.

Citywide, room occupancy was up 3.6 percent, from 82.1 percent in September 2010 to 85.7 percent this year.

Las Vegas had 3.89 million occupied hotel room-nights in September-- 6 percent more than last year.

Year-to-date, the city has seen 29.5 million visitors, a 4.7 percent increase over last year's numbers.

Russell said Mexican Independence Day -- Sept. 16 -- played a part in the rise in visitation.

Several Mexican airlines offered special flights for celebrants visiting Las Vegas this year.

The average daily number of vehicles entering Las Vegas showed a 2.2 percent decrease in September, from 99,151 vehicles a year ago to 96,922 this year.

The number of vehicles arriving from Southern California along Interstate 15 was up a miniscule 0.2 percent.

In other markets of Clark County during September, the number of Laughlin visitors fell 6 percent while Mesquite visitation was down 1.5 percent.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588.