LAS VEGAS— Hotel/casino operators here are hoping the upcoming lunar new year that begins Feb. 12, will mark an end to a year that saw Asian travel to the city, which accounts for a major chunk of its lucrative high roller business, virtually vanish after Sept. 11. So far the signs are encouraging at hotel/casinos with advance bookings looking strong for next months Year of the Horse celebration— a holiday known for attracting ethnic Chinese from North America and Asia. The stakes are especially high for some of the citys marquee casinos, like Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and MGM Grand, that cater to high rollers and rely on Asian bettors for a big part of that business. “Were looking at Chinese New Year this year as being very close to, if not at, normalized levels, a spokesman for MGM Mirage told Reuters. “Our advance reservations are right about where we would expect them to be at this point.” A Park Place Entertainment spokesperson stated that, “Were pleased with the early reservations we have from Hong Kong and Taiwan for Chinese New Year, but its premature to predict” what the final turnout will be. SOURCE: Reuters
