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SPECIAL FEATURE: ITB ASIA SMARTreport commercial content HALL D / BOOTH R21 Vegas Powers The US desert Mecca reports highest July visitation on record Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Association reports a swathe of new attractions in the city that just keeps picking up pace! Las Vegas experienced another recordbreaking month for visitation in July. The destination welcomed more than 3.7 million visitors during the month, marking the best July in Las Vegas history. The news comes as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Association reports a swathe of new attractions in the city that just keeps picking up pace! CELINE DION RETURNS TO HEADLINING RESIDENCY SHOW AT THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE Celine Dion has returned to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to resume her criticallyacclaimed Las Vegas residency show, Celine. After a year hiatus, the stage came to life in September as Celine made her momentous return to a sold-out house and multiple standing ovations from thousands of fans. expansion allows Mandalay Bay to grow current shows and attract new groups with the added flexibility. Based on customer demand, the resort built new exhibit space, a 20,000-square-foot foyer and underground parking in this first phase, strengthening its position as a leader in the meetings and trade show industry. The second and final phase of the expansion will transition existing space into a 70,000-square-foot carpeted ballroom to accommodate new corporate partners and associations as well as achieve greater utilization of the entire facility. GOVERNOR'S GLOBAL TOURISM SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 16-17 The Nevada Division of Tourism (TravelNevada) will present its inaugural Governor’s Global Tourism Summit in Nov., featuring Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison and keynote speaker Chris Thompson, president/CEO of Brand USA. The Global Tourism Summit is the evolution of the long-running Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and will take place at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Nov. 16-17. The popular Nevada Marketplace will expand this year with a record 10 countries represented, including India for the first time. This is an opportunity for Nevada travel suppliers to meet with international buyers – tour operators, receptive operators, wholesalers, online travel agents, and airlines – for one-on-one meetings. Registration for the Governor’s Global Tourism Summit is now available at governorsconference.org. MANDALAY BAY OPENS CONVENTION CENTER’S 350,000-SQUARE-FOOT EXPANSION Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino recently opened the Convention Center’s 350,000-square-foot expansion. Creating the most customer-focused convention facility in North America, the million 18 Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport / Worldwide Edition N°27 / September - November 2015
HALL D / BOOTH R21 SPECIAL FEATURE: ITB ASIA SMARTreport commercial content Rainbow bridge Floating Like Butterflies Over the Grand Canyon The Papillon Group celebrates 50 years of growth into the biggest company of its kind This year marks the 50 th anniversary for the Papillon Group - the world’s largest and longest running helicopter tour company, based in Las Vegas. Papillon is also the longest running “flightseeing” company with up to 3,500 passengers served daily, narration in 16 languages and nearly 73 state-of-theart helicopters and airplanes, specifically designed to reveal panoramic views beyond imagination. Family owned and operated, its brands include Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Grand Canyon Helicopters, Grand Canyon Airlines, Scenic Airlines and Grand Canyon Coaches. Papillon is also one of the few companies that fly the entire Grand Canyon, including the South and West rims, home to the world-famous Skywalk, in addition to Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam and Page, Ariz. The company’s story began in 1965, thanks to the vision of Elling Halvorson. At that time, Halvorson owned a construction company specializing in remote area, highrisk projects with challenging logistics in a massive construction project atop the 9,400-foot Echo Summit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Halvorson purchased his first helicopter, a Bell 47-G3B1, to carry workers and light construction materials through the treacherous mountain terrain. Today, this project remains the largest helicopter-supported construction project ever completed in the United States. As Halvorson and his team flew colleagues and clients to work sites within the canyon, the majestic scenery was so captivating that workers began requesting chartered helicopter flights during off hours. Halvorson recognized the golden opportunity that lay in front of him and Papillon was born. The company would make history by becoming one of the first aerial sightseeing companies in the world and the first to fly the Grand Canyon. And the rest is history! In January, Halvorsen received the esteemed Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award during the 12th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards. In January, Halvorsen received the esteemed Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award Meanwhile, Papillon Group's Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines is launching its newest adventure, flying guests from Las Vegas to Bar 10 Ranch at the Grand Canyon's Northern rim. Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines will be the exclusive provider for roundtrip flights. Guests board an airplane at Boulder City Aerocenter, from where they enjoy a bird’seye view of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Colorado River—the heart of the Grand Canyon. The plane lands at the Bar 10 Ranch where guests will experience a guided ground tour on a Polaris Ranger. www.cleverhotel.org Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport / Worldwide Edition N°27 / September - November 2015 19
