VEGAS.com  reports overall sales increases of 300% in 2003 for the company’s online and offline sales of hotel accommodations, air travel, shows, tours, club passes and other unique tourism offerings.  Overall, VEGAS.com reports that 2003 revenue is up 475% from 2002 and has grown by 15 times since 2001.

VEGAS.com’s conversion rate, a significant indicator of online business success, also grew more than 300% this year, while the company’s expanded specialized niche of selling show tickets rose an astounding 500%.  By tripling sales for two years running, VEGAS.com continues to exceed projections, furthering its profitable business model with content, unique merchandising and packaging.  Instead of relying on discounting as a business model, VEGAS.com continues to innovate, with new products and rich content, remaining one of only a few profitable city sites worldwide.  VEGAS.com remains the number one seller of America West online.

According to comScore Media Metrix, VEGAS.com ranks the highest in page views among the world’s best known city and destination sites, beating out New York Citysearch, Los Angeles Citysearch, Hawaii.com, Florida.com and others.  Additionally, VEGAS.com was No. 1 among travel sites in pages viewed per unique visitor - a reflection of the amount of time people spend on the site.  Unique visitors for VEGAS.com increased by 107% over the 2002 compared to other Las Vegas sites (including all major hotel sites) that only rose by 31% year over year. 

 

“VEGAS.com has accomplished these feats by providing a best-of-breed model for e-commerce,” said Howard Lefkowitz, President. “We also have an acute understanding of customer needs, and an unrivaled commitment to the local tourism community,”

 

During 2003, VEGAS.com introduced several products and enhancements that contributed to the company’s growth and popularity.  “Much of our company’s success can be attributed to innovative offerings,” said Lefkowitz.  Among these efforts were the launch of www.espanol.vegas.com, the country’s first travel destination site in Spanish; the introduction of the first Vegas city-wide credit card and rewards program; and the announcement of a deal to provide the city’s first mobile applications for tourism bookings.  In addition to the already extensive product offering of tickets, hotels, shows and more for the entire city in one place, VEGAS.com introduced exclusive and coveted offerings including VIP front-of-line access passes with more than a dozen of the city’s top nightclubs as partners, as well as free restaurant reservations.

 

Technology enhancements have also fueled VEGAS.com’s growth.  Earlier this year, VEGAS.com received an award from Nortel Networks for its innovative use of IP/Telephony in the VEGAS.com call center, bringing new efficiencies to the business.  VEGAS.com also developed its own packaging engine to create varied travel packages and to manage inventory and sales growth for its hotel, show, club, restaurant, tour and other tourism partners.

 

In 2003, VEGAS.com also launched Studio Vegas, which provides financing, production, creative, and distribution services by working with local production facilities to provide staff and workspace for top producers and directors working in Las Vegas. Studio Vegas co-produced the FOX New Year’s Eve show; a nationally syndicated Vegas Minute which highlights the city; and Vegas Live!, a morning television show hosted by Clint Holmes and Sheena Easton.

 

VEGAS.com’s spokesperson, Mr. V, has become the living symbol of the Vegas insider, seen in an ambitious online and offline marketing campaign, including broadcast, print, and outdoor.  National recognition of the company’s branding and marketing efforts gained momentum this year with VEGAS.com’s 3 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Awards for public relations efforts. Recognizing the company’s superior products and services for consumers, VEGAS.com has also been selected as a CODIE award finalist for the best consumer online service, a prestigious honor bestowed by the Software & Information Industry Association.
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