Las Vegas Residents' Advice to Travellers: Don't Just Stick to 'The Strip'

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct 1, 2012) - Las Vegas attracted 38.9 million tourists last year, including 1.7 million Canadians¹ who for the most part likely started and ended their visit on the city''s world-famous "Strip." While The Strip is a must-see for many, a recent survey conducted by Expedia.ca, Canada''s leading online travel provider, reveals that 80 per cent of Las Vegas residents strongly believe that there is more to their city than just the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas Boulevard. In fact, 81 per cent of locals believe that visitors who only visit The Strip don''t get a true sense of what Las Vegas is all about.

When asked for their top activity choice for someone visiting Las Vegas for only 48 hours, locals narrowly gave the edge to visiting the Red Rock Canyon over hitting The Strip (23.9 versus 23.7, respectively).

"Las Vegans know their city is an exciting and unique place to visit because of The Strip. However, the locals we surveyed were equally enthusiastic about other attractions and activities in and around Las Vegas that they felt visitors should make a point of experiencing" said Sean Shannon, Vice President and Managing Director of Expedia Canada. "As Canada''s Sin City experts, Expedia.ca encourages savvy travellers who appreciate the value of local recommendations to take advantage of our annual Vegas Sale which offers savings of up to 60 per cent off so they can experience the ''other'' Las Vegas as suggested by these ''local insiders'' with the money they saved on their booking."

According to locals, the area''s top three ''must-see'' - but often overlooked - gems include Red Rock Canyon (cited by 29 per cent of those surveyed), Mount Charleston (13 per cent) and the ever-impressive Hoover Dam (9 per cent), all of which are within short driving distance from the city. Recommendations also included many of the city''s eclectic museums and cultural districts including Fremont East Entertainment District, home to many restaurants, classic cocktail bars, dance clubs and live music venues, and the Downtown Arts District that features monthly art celebrations in an area that includes more than 80 indoor art galleries, numerous restaurants, eclectic food trucks and shops.

Expedia.ca''s ''Vegas Insider'' shares ''Must-Sees''

To help Canadians learn more about all that Las Vegas has to offer, Expedia.ca enlisted the help of Las Vegas native James P. Reza, who has been chronicling the city for more than two decades.

Reza''s own list of must-sees also includes only-in-Las Vegas museums such as the Neon Museum, home to the Boneyard where retired Las Vegas signs rescued from demolition are on display; the Mob Museum, which showcases the influence organized crime had on the city; and the Pinball Hall of Fame, home to the world''s largest pinball collection, which includes arcade-favourites dating back to the 1950s. Reza''s own top picks encourages travellers to visit the city''s many art galleries, which often include exhibits from contemporary artists that match the unique feel of Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas is a city alive with energy and The Strip certainly plays a large part in this, but as any local will tell you, it''s only one aspect of our city and certainly isn''t the only thing worth seeing," said Reza. "Whether you''re a first-time visitor or a repeat guest, the greater Las Vegas area and in particular the city''s redeveloping downtown with its many museums, art galleries and restaurants is worth the discovery and is sure to redefine for travellers what a Las Vegas vacation has to offer."

Among other survey findings:

• Visiting casinos was still strongly recommended by Las Vegans - 70 per cent of respondents said they are still among the city''s ''must see'' attractions, followed by catching a Vegas show at 65 per cent.
  
  

• When it comes to being a tourist in their own city, locals practice what they preach. Red Rock Canyon is among the most popular destinations for locals, with 73 per cent of respondents saying they have visited the area, which is designated as a national conservation area. Other popular locations visited by locals include the Fremont East Entertainment District (64 per cent); the Downtown Arts District (49 per cent); Springs Preserve (48 per cent); and Zion National Park (44 per cent).
  
  

Expedia.ca''s Sin City Guide

Known as the Sin City experts, Expedia.ca is Canada''s premier destination for Las Vegas-bound travellers. Visit the Expedia.ca Facebook page for more traveller tips on the city''s best attractions, including well- and lesser-known ''must-sees'' from Vegas Insiders such as James Reza amongst others. Canadians who book by October 31st, 2012 for travel by April 30th, 2013 can save up to 60 per cent off their Las Vegas getaway and choose from Expedia.ca''s unmatched inventory of hotels in Vegas. Travellers who bundle their hotel and flight together can misbehave for even less - with an average of $300 savings per person.

Finally, for those who always dreamed to see their name light up the Vegas skyline, Expedia.ca is offering a unique contest exclusive to fans of their Facebook page. Visitors who build their own Vegas-style sign can win the chance to get the real sign erected and unveiled during a four day/ three night stay along with five friends courtesy of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Air Canada.

Methodology

From September 17th to September 23rd, 2012 an online survey was conducted among 502 randomly selected adults living in the Las Vegas area. The margin of error is =/- 4.37%, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About Expedia Inc.

Expedia, Inc. operates Canada''s most visited full-service online travel service, Expedia.ca. To help Canadians plan and purchase travel, Expedia, Inc. provides the best combination of scheduled and charter flights, car and hotel reservations, vacation packages, destination activities, cruises, trip insurance and traveller-authored content. Expedia customers are supported by customer support agents available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a toll-free number and email response.

Expedia and Expedia.ca are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2012 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-50

¹ Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority