I found this article spot on: https://www.casino.org/news/las-vegas-economist-believes-parking-resort-fees-turning-away-visitors/
The corporations that run the big hotels have no interest in dropping fees or increasing comps.
IMHO, Vegas always had an “upside surprise”
-Outrageous themes and events (pools, sky needle, corny casinos, lots of giveaways and freebies). Not to mention inexpensive food (to lure and keep you at the casino).
-Exciting free venues (show me something cool, give me a free/discounted drink, and I will gladly visit your casino)
-The possibility of winning some money (I used to see people holding up the big check with $100k, $50k, etc.)
-Comps just from talking to the pit boss (they could toss you a comped meal without checking your point balance or fear of being fired for being nice to low rollers)
When I went to Vegas 20 years ago, you felt you got more for your money than you do today. Vegas was a VALUE destination; not just gaming, not just canals and water-shows, but you knew people who had a good time and made a few bucks! They were living, breathing advertisements for going back. Often.
Look at Vegas today:
Big fluctuations on room rates, many non-refundable, and those !$#@!! Resort fees.
Winning “big” (more than a couple of hundred) is almost nil. slot psychology, progressives, and high-dollar tables take your money faster with no emotional payback, except for some flashing lights.
Expensive food ($40 breakfast buffets, Starbucks coffee is $4 at the Casino and $2 off strip) and coupons that don’t really give you a significant discount.
Comps based on loyalty cards, so you have to stay in one casino to boost your points or spread your gaming around and get minimal, non-usable points from the Casinos you just visit and spend an few bucks on.
The New Vegas has dropped the “little guy” from their radar – the price gouging (no matter how well justified) will keep them gambling at the local casinos (the ones near me have free parking and lots of giveaways), and a good cross-section of eateries that are there to keep the gamblers happy – not to be an additional profit center for the casino.
Vegas may be overdue for a big downturn in revenue (again) and will have to re-invent itself to keep the convention traffic and Vegas-loving regular folks a reason to visit. We need, first and foremost, to look at the Vegas “Value Proposition” – fun, outrageous hotels, inexpensive but good food, lots of comps and giveaways, and not going broke on your first day and having to put everything on your charge card (a monthly reminder that you spent way too much).
This crazy place in the desert holds an attraction that is being chipped away by profiteering and corporate greed.
If you are not sure that this can be done, look at the way Disney manages their guest experience.
The cumulative effect of this profit-taking makes it harder to return to Vegas – and not once a year like I used to.
