Latest news with #BrianVirag
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What happens in Vegas… isn't happening: Tourist numbers drop, casinos sit empty; internet declares Sin City 'dead, bro'
Las Vegas is no longer the unstoppable tourism titan it once was, with visitor numbers plunging and online chatter echoing a grim reality — empty casinos, rising costs, and a hospitality industry struggling to keep up appearances. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now By the numbers: Vegas feels the burn According to the latest figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), only 3.1 million tourists visited Las Vegas in June, a sharp 11.3% drop from the same time last year. Hotel occupancy rates slipped 6.5%, while average daily room rates fell 6.6%, landing at $163.64. Even Harry Reid International Airport is feeling the slowdown, with a 4.1% year-to-date drop in traffic, according to a news report from Fox News. According to Fox News, Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg didn't sugarcoat it during a recent earnings call, calling this season a "soft summer" to local reports. Empty casinos and internet cries: 'Vegas is dead, bro' The story isn't just in the stats. Social media platforms like X and Reddit are flooded with firsthand reports painting a bleak picture. One user claimed, "Casinos are empty … people are being laid off … there is no tourism." Another shared a photo of a deserted gaming floor with the caption: "Las Vegas is dead, bro." Reddit's r/lasvegas thread is buzzing with similar concerns. One user blamed aggressive pricing tactics: "While the economy is going downhill, the Strip nickel and diming folks is gonna result in this, and it's gonna get worse." Others pointed to seasonal factors and fewer events compared to last year, like the absence of the NHL Awards and Draft, which had brought in thousands of out-of-towners in June 2024. And then there's the ultimate Reddit kiss of death: "Vegas will never recover." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now More than just empty rooms: Lawsuits and bedbugs add to woes Las Vegas' image isn't just suffering from a tourism dip — it's also grappling with lawsuits that could further damage its hospitality reputation. Earlier this year, three lawsuits were filed against two Strip resorts over alleged bedbug infestations during the summer of 2024. Attorney Brian Virag, founder of My Bed Bug Lawyer, is representing the plaintiffs. "We wanted to not only make sure to represent them, but also to bring awareness that bedbugs in Las Vegas hotels are a real problem," he told Fox News Digital. The price problem: Vegas isn't cheap — but can it still be worth it? Mallory Dumond, a travel adviser at Travelmation, told Fox News that while the cost of visiting Las Vegas has surged, travellers can still find value with the right strategies. "Opt for a Sunday through Thursday stay if your schedule allows," she advised, "you can find 5-star rooms at half the weekend rate." Dumond recommends lunch over dinner at upscale restaurants to cut costs and suggests happy hour menus for wallet-friendly indulgence.
Fox News
01-08-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Las Vegas tourism drops sharply as some visitors claim 'casinos are empty' amid rising costs
Tourism in Las Vegas continues to decline as many visitors are calling out the once-packed Sin City for its high prices. The latest statistics from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) show that only 3.1 million people visited in June, which is down 11.3% compared to last year. The hotel industry is feeling the burn of fewer visitors, with occupancy dropping 6.5% while average daily room rates have lowered to $163.64 – down 6.6%, according to the LVCVA. Even the Harry Reid Airport has shown a decline, dropping 4.1% in year-to-date decline compared to the same time last year, according to the website. Tom Reeg, Caesars Entertainment CEO, shared that it would be a "soft summer" on a recent earnings call, according to local reports. A recent X user claimed to have family members living in Las Vegas. The person posted, "They say casinos are empty … People are being laid off … There is no tourism." Another X user shared a photo of an empty casino, captioning the post, "Las Vegas is dead, bro." In April, three lawsuits were filed against two resorts on the Las Vegas strip for incidents that occurred in the summer of 2024, Fox News Digital previously reported. Attorney Brian Virag, founder and CEO of My Bed Bug Lawyer, is representing the plaintiffs in these cases and commented on the situation. "We wanted to not only make sure to represent them, but also to bring awareness that bedbugs in Las Vegas hotels are a real problem," Virag told Fox News Digital recently. Many Reddit users have drawn attention to tourism issues in Sin City, posting thoughts in the "r/lasvegas" forum. "While the economy is going downhill, the strip nickel and diming folks [sic] is gonna result in this, and it's gonna get worse," wrote one user. Another person said, "Slow season in Vegas, no people, no conferences in summer, and it's hot." "I think it's worth noting [that] last June, the NHL awards and NHL draft were both in town," one user pointed out. "I went to both and met a ton of people and none of them were from Vegas, so that would account for a lot of tourism during that time." Another Redditor declared, "Vegas will never recover." Mallory Dumond, Travelmation adviser and supervisor, recently told Fox News Digital the cost of visiting Vegas has increased over the past year. "Despite the high price tags, with proper planning, you can still ensure value, comfort and memorable moments if you're thinking of visiting Vegas," she said. Dumond shared a few tips for those seeking to visit the Gambling Capital of the World. "Opt for a Sunday through Thursday stay if your schedule will allow. Often, you can find 5-star rooms at half the weekend rate! Same suite, same view, smarter timing." Dumond said that hitting nice restaurants can be more affordable during the day for lunch as opposed to dinner — and that visitors should take advantage of tasting menus or happy hours. "For those who don't want to stomach the bloated costs in Las Vegas, I encourage clients to consider Atlantic City, New Jersey, for a more affordable casino-and-beach alternative with major resort brands and entertainment," said Drummond. "Napa Valley, California, is ideal for a laid-back, elevated vacation experience with delicious wine and Michelin-star dining." Drummond also suggested, "if your top priority is a high-end luxury resort, check out Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for ocean-front extravagance, spas, yacht charters and 5-star all-inclusives that offer a better value than Vegas."
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Two luxury Las Vegas Strip hotels sued by guests
Two luxury Las Vegas Strip hotels have been sued by guests who claim they were 'massacred' by bed bugs. Three guests at the Luxor Hotel and Casino and one at Treasure Island claimed they were attacked by the vermin last summer. Those who stayed at the Luxor claimed they were 'massacred' by the parasites and left with scars, according to filings obtained by KLAS . Neither of the four-star hotels in Sin City have responded to the lawsuit, which was filed on April 21. Stephen and Courtney Gully of Illinois claimed they were left scarred by the pests following their stay at the $373-a-night Luxor. An EMT had to be sent up to their room during their stay between June 7 and 10 after Courtney had a reaction to the bed bugs and felt like her throat was closing, the lawsuit claimed. She was allegedly treated in the parking lot and taken to the hospital due to the bed bugs. The Gullys said they had to pay for an Uber back to the hotel, and Luxor had refunded them the resort fee. 'It doesn't matter if you're paying $60 a night for a room or $600 a night for a room. The obligation on the hotel operator is the same – you have to keep the guests safe,' their attorney, Brian Virag, told the local news station. 'The hotel operator has a responsibility to make sure that that room is bed bug-free, housekeeping has to be thoroughly trained. 'They have to know how to inspect. They need to really do a diligent job before they turn that room over to the guests.' Brianna McKenzie, who stayed at Luxor from July 16 to 18, is the other guest who said she was attacked by bed bugs. Virag shared disturbing images showing bite marks endured by the guests and one video of a bed bug crawling in the room. 'They typically will bite in linear patterns. We call it breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' the lawyer said. Teresa Bruce from Los Angeles stayed at Treasure Island - where the most luxurious rooms can cost up to $2,000 a night - from June 20 to 23 when the vermin allegedly attacked her. 'It's on the hotel to make sure that they're not creating a dangerous condition,' Virag said. Southern Nevada Health District records obtained by the local news outlet showed many other luxury strip hotels had bed bugs from February to August 2024, but the Luxor and Treasure Island were not listed. Virag said that is because hotel guests often fail to report bed bugs to the health department. contacted the Luxor and Treasure Island for comment.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Two luxury Las Vegas Strip hotels are sued after guests wake up to vile creature biting them
Two luxury Las Vegas Strip hotels have been sued by guests who claim they were 'massacred' by bed bugs. Three guests at the Luxor Hotel and Casino and one at Treasure Island claimed they were attacked by the vermin last summer. Those who stayed at the Luxor claimed they were 'massacred' by the parasites and left with scars, according to filings obtained by KLAS. Neither of the four-star hotels in Sin City have responded to the lawsuit, which was filed on April 21. Stephen and Courtney Gully of Illinois claimed they were left scarred by the pests following their stay at the $373-a-night Luxor. An EMT had to be sent up to their room during their stay between June 7 and 10 after Courtney had a reaction to the bed bugs and felt like her throat was closing, the lawsuit claimed. She was allegedly treated in the parking lot and taken to the hospital due to the bed bugs. The Gullys said they had to pay for an Uber back to the hotel, and Luxor had refunded them the resort fee. 'It doesn't matter if you're paying $60 a night for a room or $600 a night for a room. The obligation on the hotel operator is the same – you have to keep the guests safe,' their attorney, Brian Virag, told the local news station. 'The hotel operator has a responsibility to make sure that that room is bed bug-free, housekeeping has to be thoroughly trained. 'They have to know how to inspect. They need to really do a diligent job before they turn that room over to the guests.' Brianna McKenzie, who stayed at Luxor from July 16 to 18, is the other guest who said she was attacked by bed bugs. Virag shared disturbing images showing bite marks endured by the guests and one video of a bed bug crawling in the room. 'They typically will bite in linear patterns. We call it breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' the lawyer said. Teresa Bruce from Los Angeles stayed at Treasure Island - where the most luxurious rooms can cost up to $2,000 a night - from June 20 to 23 when the vermin allegedly attacked her. The hotel sent its risk management team to Bruce's room and confirmed the presence of bed bugs, according to the lawsuit. She was moved to another room, but claimed she quickly noticed more bites on her body after the switch. The filings state that Treasure Island staff assessed Bruce's new room and confirmed there were bed bugs. 'It's on the hotel to make sure that they're not creating a dangerous condition,' Virag said. Southern Nevada Health District records obtained by the local news outlet showed many other luxury strip hotels had bed bugs from February to August 2024, but the Luxor and Treasure Island were not listed.
