LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects big crowds in town, as people take advantage of the four-day holiday weekend.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists are planning to hit the Strip the next two weekends. The economic impact is expected to reach $200 million.
Along with shows and club deals, several sports events will help draw crowds. The MAACO Bowl college football game, which pits the Washington Huskies against the Boise State Broncos, takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium this weekend. It's expected to draw tens of thousands of travelers.
Next week, five college basketball tournaments are scheduled - the most ever in the city. These attractions are helping Las Vegas generate big tourism numbers.
"Whenever we add new shows, new restaurants, somebody redoes their hotel rooms, adds a new nightclub, it gives somebody that extra push to come here to Vegas," said Courtney Fitzgerald with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
The spike in tourism is expected to help Las Vegas break the record for most visitors in one year with 40 million people. In 2007, Las Vegas had approximately 39 million visitors.
While many are coming here, a record number of travelers are also leaving Las Vegas this weekend for the holidays. More than seven million people from Nevada and the Mountain West area plan on going out of town.
Before you head out, AAA has some tips. Expect to pay a little more for a hotel. Many places are hiking their rates. You can also expect long lines at the airport. Travelers should show up at least 90 minutes before their flight and routinely check the flight's status online.
Most people plan to leave this Friday or Saturday, so your best bet is to head out earlier.
"Most travel will be probably between three p.m. and seven p.m. in the afternoon," said Cynthia Harris with AAA. "People are getting off early from work, gathering their families and leaving after lunch, so freeways will probably be most congested Friday afternoon."
The steady decline of gas prices is giving people reason to take their cars. Gas prices are at a two-year low - hovering at around $3.24 per gallon in Las Vegas.
