Las Vegas officials announced plans today to showcase over $22 billion of new tourism offerings next year at International Pow Wow 2013. Las Vegas, which hosted Pow Wow in 2008 when it set the all-time attendance record, welcomed 38.9 million visitors in 2011: its second highest total ever.

With projected growth in international visitation, LasVegas is forecasting a record year in 2012 with 40 million visitors. “Las Vegas is more vibrant than ever and continues to reinvent itself as an international tourism destination,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Chair of the U.S. Travel Association. “We look forward to hosting the delegates for IPW 2013 and creating a memorable experience that will showcase everything Las Vegas has to offer.”

Since hosting Pow Wow in 2008, Las Vegas invested over $22 billion in a variety of new world class entertainment, culinary and shopping additions, not to mention more than 25,000 new hotel rooms bringing the total to 151,000. Despite having more hotel rooms to fill than any other US destination, Las Vegas still achieves room occupancy averages above 80 percent annually.
With two years of increases in visitation and average daily room rate, Las Vegas has good reason for continued optimism. “We are particularly enthusiastic about the vast, untapped potential of international travel to Las Vegas, and Pow Wow provides a world stage,” said Ralenkotter. “International travel is a key growth market for Las Vegas tourism, which is why we have set a long-term goal of 30 percent international visitation in the next decade.”

Las Vegas has welcomed more international visitors in the last couple years than ever before and predicts the trend will continue. Currently, 15-18 percent of annual travelers to Las Vegas are international, which equates to about 6.5 million visitors generating 27 percent of the destination’s total annual tourism revenue. “With endless entertainment, culinary and shopping options along with favorable currency exchange rates and great values, Las Vegas has never been a more attractive travel proposition for international tourists,” said Ralenkotter. “Additionally, we continue to create more accessibility for the international traveler by securing more non-stop flights from key countries.”

Las Vegas currently welcomes 173 weekly flights from 19 international cities. With a new international terminal opening this June at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas has never been more accessible and more welcoming to international visitors.