Las Vegas targeting LGBT tourism dollars

Very interesting article in Vegas Inc. Magazine about marketing Las Vegas to the LGBT tourism market.

According to the article, gay and lesbian tourists are becoming more and more savvy about where to spend their dollars.

And with information like the HRC's Equality Index available via the internet on any smart phone, gay and lesbian tourists are doing their homework in deciding what Las Vegas destinations will get their business.

They can’t legally marry here. Many don’t feel comfortable walking hand-in-hand down the alcohol - powered Las Vegas Strip on a busy evening. But they have spending power — lots of it — and with the liberalization of attitudes toward gay individuals, Las Vegas travel marketers have become increasingly aggressive and nuanced in their outreach to the segment.

It’s no longer enough for marketers to simply slap a politically correct multi-colored rainbow flag on print and video ads while their own companies discriminate against their LGBT employees, denying them pay and benefits on a par with their straight counterparts.

“We have options. We don’t have to spend our money where we’re mistreated,” said David, a 45-year-old researcher from the Midwest, who despite the evolving era of enlightenment on gay issues, was too skittish to share his last name. “Zero is an embarrassing score for any company in today’s business world. Why would I spend my money with someone who doesn’t respect who I am?”

Read more at Vegas Inc Magazine.

Las Vegas Rainbow at Sunset

Who knew we get rainbows in Vegas? My friend John Genovese called me as the sun was setting and told me to walk outside. Apparently there were double rainbows hanging out at sunset today.

I could only see one from my backyard, but it was really cool. The picture doesn't do justice to how vibrant it actually was.

Which reminds me of youtube clip from a while back about a guy FREAKING out about the beauty of a rainbow. I had to include the clip below. If you haven't seen this, keep watching. The guy's reaction gets better and better. He goes on quite the emotional rollercoaster.

"Vegas! The Show" celebrates marriage equality

Reva Rice, star of "Vegas! The Show"
at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas

Las Vegas’ hottest, new stage production, VEGAS! The Show, continues its ongoing support of gay rights by offering FREE show tickets to same-sex married couples through the month of July.

The offer is in response to New York becoming the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, joining Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

LGBT married couples who show proof of their union at the Saxe Theater box office will receive two free tickets to the show.

Theater owner, David Saxe, hopes this gesture will inspire other business owners across the nation to throw their support behind the movement. “The New York state Senate vote was a huge milestone, affording gay and lesbian couples the rights, dignity and respect that come with marriage. No matter how you look at it, this is a ‘human’ rights victory and it deserves to be commemorated.”

"VEGAS! The Show" takes the stage, twice nightly, at the Saxe Theater inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Starring Broadway veteran Reva Rice (Fosse, Starlight Express) and a cast of more than 40 singers, dancers, showgirls and a live big band orchestra, this large-scale production takes the audience on a journey through the “glory days” of Las Vegas when The Rat Pack ruled, glamorous showgirls filled the stage and Elvis was the king of Vegas.

For more information about VEGAS! The Show, please log onto www.vegastheshow.com or call 702.318.6490.

If you plan to celebrate your marriage equality this month, get to Las Vegas and "Vegas! The Show."

Elton John returns to Las Vegas!

Elton John is returning to the Las Vegas Strip for a three-year run at Caesars Palace.

The five-time Grammy winner announced Monday he'll return with his "Million Dollar Piano" show to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas starting in September.
Tickets for the first 16 shows go on sale April 25.

John completed his first run at Caesars Palace in April 2009. "The Red Piano" was originally slated to run for three years, but was extended to a five-year run because of audience demand.

John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
(via AP)

Las Vegas home sales jump

Local home sales jumped and prices edged slightly lower in March compared to the previous month and year.

"Local homes were already selling at a strong pace, but sales increased significantly in March," said GLVAR President Paul Bell. "As for the slight decrease in median home prices last month, I think real estate investors are influencing that statistic because they tend to buy lower-priced homes, which are generally owned by banks."

According to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, 51.4 percent of all existing homes sold in Southern Nevada during March were purchased with cash. That's down from 53.8 percent in February.

As long as local home prices remain so affordable and lending standards remain relatively stringent, Bell said he expects the percentage of cash buyers to hover near record levels.

The total number of local homes, condominiums and townhomes sold in March was 4,316. That's up from 3,371 total sales in February and up from 3,989 total sales one year ago.

By the way, I should mention that I am a licensed Realtor in Nevada. If anyone would like to take advantage of a solid buyer's market or like some information about Las Vegas real estate, visit my real estate website at www.LVhabitats.net.