Despite Macau’s slowing economy and a multiyear slowdown in gaming revenue in both Macau and Las Vegas traceable to the Chinese government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, China remains a potential tourist powerhouse. Hainan Airlines’ nonstop flights from Las Vegas to Beijing’s Capital Airport in December is a key to unlocking that potential.
The addition of nonstop air travel is no small consideration. Flights from Shanghai currently have two or more stops and take from 26 to a whopping 36 hours, depending on the length of the layover. Flights from Beijing are slightly better—22 hours seems to be the norm. And that’s if everything goes right; unexpected delays can add hours or even days to the trek. The time spent in airplanes and waiting for airplanes is doubtless limiting Las Vegas’ potential as a Chinese tourist destination.
Compared with Europe: a nonstop from London’s Heathrow airport takes about 11 hours, with no switching planes. Nonstop from Frankfurt, Germany? About 12 hours.
Twelve hours from taking off in Beijing to landing in Las Vegas shaves at least 10 hours and massive hassle for Chinese tourists. If Las Vegas is to continue growing its tourist base, better access to the rapidly growing Chinese middle class is a necessity. Even if the high-roller faucet is susceptible to shut downs, the argument goes, there are simply so many potential Las Vegas visitors that even if they aren’t gambling more than the average visitor, the sheer mass of Chinese tourists will make any investments in them pay off.
Just like the Asian high-end market bolstered Las Vegas during the worst of the recession, the Asian mass market will set the city up for future growth—at least that’s the plan.
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