The bright lights continue to shine in sunny, sensational and swanky Las Vegas. The legendary American travel magnet of gambling, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment is shimmering of new developments for 2009 and beyond. For instance, on the Las Vegas Strip, the City Center is undergoing a $9.4 billion development, which will be opening late 2009 to early 2010. The City Center, developed by  MGM Mirage, is the most expensive privately funded commercial development in US history and will include The City Center Casino, Convention Center, Retail Mall, and six high-rise towers.

Another major development is the Cosmopolitan, a $2 billion resort opening next year. The area will feature the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino, a condo hotel destined to redefine the city skyline with its stunning design, consisting of two glass towers, a casino, a theater, convention and meeting space.

The city’s growth is still fuelled mainly by tourism. Its hotels are among the largest in the world, what with 37 million tourists visitors annually. And the hotels themselves are not just mere stay-ins and casinos; they are self-contained fantasylands, each holding its own extravagant array of showrooms and swimming pools, luxurious guest quarters and restaurants, high-tech rides and attractions.

This sleepless city has also dropped the Disneyesque model and favored adult themes, with replicas of nothing less than entire cities like New York, Paris, Monte Carlo, and Venice.

Despite the extravagance and the glitter, those searching for cheap destinations can still find a variety of good deals, from rock-bottom rates for accommodation to the best buffet bargains. The same goes for gambling; the Strip giants cater to those desiring sophisticated high-roller heavens, where tuxedoed James Bond lookalikes toss insouciant bankrolls onto the roulette tables. For those who prefer their casinos with chain-smoking lowlifes, there is no shortage of that type either, especially downtown.

The city is not thoroughly exclusive, however affluent one may be; you’ll always receive a good welcome in its stores, restaurants, and above all casinos. As for gambling, in the words of Steve Wynn, who built the popular joints Bellagio and the Mirage, “the only way to make money in a casino is to own one.” According to the latest figures, 85 percent of visitors gamble, and they lose an average of $665 each.

But make no mistake, there’s little truth in the notion that Las Vegas has become a family destination. Several casinos have added theme parks or fun rides to fill non-gambling moments, but then again, don’t expect to ever stay away from all those slot machines and poker tables.(Duane D)

source: Wikipedia, Yahoo, Las Vegas tourism