Talking Points: Las Vegas and Travel Safety (October 4, 2017)

Talking Points – Las Vegas and Travel Safety

Copyright © 2017 – Travel Leaders Group LLC. All rights reserved.

The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing travel within the United States in the wake of the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. (October 4, 2017).

1. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families in the recent tragic incident in Las Vegas. Our hearts go out to all who were impacted and we are grateful for the work of the first responders and the outpouring of support from the Las Vegas community and tourism industry.
2. Many Americans will take the view that we should not let fear dominate our lives. The overwhelming majority of travelers to Southern Nevada – a record nearly 43 million tourists last year – visit Las Vegas and enjoy its attractions incident-free.
3. The October 1 attack on an outdoor music concert could not have been foreseen but, there are general precautions travelers should take wherever they travel to help ensure their safety and well-being.
4. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further illustrate each talking point.

1. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families in the recent tragic incident in Las Vegas. Our hearts go out to all who were impacted and we are grateful for the work of the first responders and the outpouring of support from the Las Vegas community and tourism industry.

 Every American should be able to travel freely without fear for their personal safety and security. The travel industry and our agency holds the victims and their families in our thoughts. We are grateful to see the Las Vegas community step up to help those affected by donating places to stay, food, supplies and other assistance.

2. Many Americans will take the view that we should not let fear dominate our lives. The overwhelming majority of travelers to Southern Nevada – a record nearly 43 million tourists last year – visit Las Vegas and enjoy its attractions incident-free.

 Of the nearly 43 million tourists who visited Southern Nevada in the past year, approximately 28.5 million of them visited Las Vegas, according to stats from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

o Las Vegas is one of the most-visited destinations within the United States, with record 42,936,109 visitors in 2016. Approximately 6.3 million of those visitors came specifically to attend meetings and events.

o Tourism accounts for about 44 per cent of the area’s work force, with more than 250,000 people making a living in hotels, restaurants, bars and casinos, and 100,000 employed in additional services. This is a higher percentage than even Orlando, Florida, home to Disney World.

o In Cvent’s annual list of the top meetings destination in the U.S., Las Vegas was ranked No. 2, just behind Orlando, Florida, with 6.3 million convention attendees in 2016.

o In Travel Leaders Group’s 2017 Fall Travel Trends Survey, Las Vegas ranked as the third most-booked destination for the year, according to approximately 1,300 travel agents. Las Vegas has perennially been among the very top domestic destinations booked each year.

 Despite the mass shooting, it is anticipated that travelers will continue to support the destination.

o On the evening of October 1, 2017, a lone gunman, Stephen Paddock, shot into a street-level crowd of concert goers from his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort, killing nearly 60 people and injuring more than 520,

 This is the worst mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history.

 The second worst mass shooting happened in June 2016 at a night club in Orlando when a lone gunman, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and wounded nearly 60.

 Statistics from Visit Orlando show the attack has not been detrimental to tourism. Orlando, as a whole, has seen a 3.3 per cent increase in visitors so far this year, compared with 2016, while Orlando Central and South, near where the atrocity took place, have seen 3.3 per cent and 2.6 per cent growth respectively.

 The Las Vegas Strip remains among the nation’s safest areas and is among the most heavily patrolled by security and surveillance due to the gaming industry.

o Hoteliers weighed in, according to an article in Skift:

 “We are constantly reviewing our security policies and practices to keep our guests and employees safe. We are also working very closely with law enforcement, especially Las Vegas Metro, to continue to keep our properties secure,” said Jennifer Forkish, VP of corporate communications for Caesars Entertainment, which operates Caesars Palace and other hotels located on the Las Vegas Strip

 “In the immediate aftermath of the shooting on Sunday, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s parent company, MGM Resorts International, issued a statement on Twitter saying, “Law enforcement requested that we put hotels in the vicinity on lockdown to ensure guest safety.”

 Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, said, “As a business that is centered on serving the public, no issue is more important than safety and security. Hotels have safety and security procedures in place that are regularly reviewed, tested and updated as are their emergency response procedures. As we better understand the facts in the coming days, we will continue to work with law enforcement to evaluate these measures.”

 There are no travel warnings in effect about travel to Las Vegas.

o The U.S. Travel Association has not issued a warning about travel to Las Vegas.

 “We are deeply saddened by the events in Las Vegas and concerned for the victims, their families, and everyone else who is affected. We have many, many dear friends in Las Vegas and at this moment are focused on learning all we can about their well-being, and extending any and all assistance we are able to offer.”

o The Government of Canada has no warning in place for its citizens visiting the United. The official advisory from Canada states, “Exercise normal security precautions. There is no nationwide advisory in effect for the United States.”

 Exercise normal security precautions is defined as: “There are no significant safety and security concerns. The overall safety and security situation is similar to that of Canada. You should take normal security precautions.”

o The United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office has no warning in place for its citizens visiting the United States, nor for Las Vegas specifically. It does say:

 “On 1 October 2017 a major gun attack took place in downtown Las Vegas, at a country music festival near the Mandalay Bay Hotel. If you’re in Las Vegas, you should continue to follow the advice of the local security authorities and adhere to any road closures.”

 “If you were caught up in the incident, this page provides advice and links to further support for British nationals affected by crises abroad..”

 The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has opened a dedicated telephone line for anyone concerned about specific individuals in the area around the Mandalay Bay Hotel (+1 800 536 9488). The LVMPD has also opened a family reunification centre at its headquarters in Building B, 400 S. Martin L. King Blvd.

 There is a general statement about safety and security. It says:

 Violent crime, including gun crime, rarely involves tourists, but you should take care when travelling in unfamiliar areas. Avoid walking through less travelled areas alone, especially at night. You can find public advisories and information about recent incidents on the websites of local law enforcement authorities.

3. The October 1 attack on an outdoor music concert could not have been foreseen but, there are general precautions travelers should take wherever they travel to help ensure their safety and well-being.

 While no one can say with certainty that any destination is 100% safe, we strongly encourage our clients to use care and common sense – no matter where they travel – to maximize their safety and security. For example:

o Leave a copy of your itinerary and passport data page with a friend or family member back home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.

o Remain alert to your surroundings at all times. Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they could become dangerous.

o Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment. If caught unexpectedly near a

4

 

demonstration, obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as possible.

o Ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the locations they plan to visit.

o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuable items. Also, do not leave luggage unattended in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.

o Check your medical insurance coverage to make sure it applies overseas. If it doesn’t, consider buying travel insurance that covers overseas medical attention and medical evacuation.

o Do not display large amounts of money. Place small amounts in different pockets to assist with this or use credit cards or travelers’ checks.

o Make copies of your credit cards front and back and place them in a secured place for your records (room safe). This can be very useful if you need to report a lost or stolen card.

o If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately. When you return to your hotel, use the main entrance especially in the evening.

o Be wary of solicitors. Use reputable places of business for all your entertainment transactions.

o Travel in pairs or groups if possible.

o Always have a meeting place for the kids to meet you if they get lost.

o Small children should have their name and phone number placed on their clothes label or the inside of a shoe flap with a permanent marker in case they are lost.

o Small children should always be led by the hand when crossing the road or near busy streets.

o Teach your kids your name, house phone and cell phone number.

o Use the sidewalk and pedestrian crossings.

3. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

 Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.

 We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.

 We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.

 Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can make determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 We also work closely with respected hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and other suppliers to remain informed of security precautions they’re taking to guard our clients’ safety.