What will the effect of the coronavirus and/or the panic about it be on Vegas?

I haven't seen much, if any, discussion on LVA about the coronvirus's current impact on Las Vegas or on its likely impact going forward.

For those people who are in Vegas now or were in Vegas during the last couple of weeks, what did you see in terms of street activity, attendence at shows, tournaments etc.?

For everyone else, what do you think the impact on visitation is likely to be, or what have you read about it? It can't be good, of course, but on a continuum of mild to catastrophic, where do you think it will land?

Columbia University closed down completely today (3/9/20), because of a single case of the virus on campus. What will happen when Vegas has its first case that will get nationwide headlines? It can't be good unless you are looking for special Covid-19 hotel rates. Just how bad do you think it will get for the Strip economy? As bad as or worse than it was during the financial crisis of '08 to ~'13?

I predict an impact roughly equal in magnitude to the dropoff after 9/11. It lasted about three months, and was largely due to people being antsy about air travel.

I personally feel that Vegas might be one of the worst places to visit right now, given the number of people who travel there from everywhere in the world, the unavoidable crowds, and the awfulness of the city's healthcare systems. I don't see very much effect so far on tourism, though.

My speculation is that people arriving in Vegas right about now and in the near future might have already made plans, including plane tickets that won't be refunded and deposits put down on hotel rooms that won't be returned. So I expect the greater dampening effect to be on summer travel and visitation. March Madness probably won't be hurt badly, but the WSOP might.

We'll wait and see, of course. Vegas, as far as I'm concerned, is about as fun of a tourist destination as Bangladesh during a hurricane, but that's my opinion and obviously not shared by too many others. A 5% risk of dying if you visit? Hey, life's a gamble!!!!

I travel to Vegas about 3-4 times a year.  Already I have reservations to fly to Vegas in April and in July.  I'm planning to cancel my July trip.  I usually play Craps. I'm predicting dealers will start using gloves at table games and later mandatory for players to use gloves.     

I'm going in May, and am not having second thoughts yet.  It's too early to overreact. 

We know MGM is closing their buffets. Maybe the shows will be next?  On the flip side, there will probably be good deals on airfares and hotels. 

I'm coming in for March Madness on Tuesday, and hotel rates have plummeted on the strip over the last week. I haven't seen any difference in downtown rates, but Caesar's rates for me are down close to summertime levels less than a week out. 

Southwest flight from Vegas back home yesterday not half full.  Usually full full.

The last few years I've pared back my trips to Oct and April as I like the weather those months. I had to cancel my Oct trip due to illness, so I was really looking forward to April, until now! I'm siding with the experts who are saying this is the tip of the iceberg so far. We'll have a good idea of what's happening in the next few weeks. Hopefully get down in May. 

I just wish Wash DC would have taken this more seriously from the start. 

Good Luck!

Ric at Joes

Not sure what the COVID-19 will lead to but I'm staying away from Las Vegas until I'm more comfortable with feeling safe. I can't be sure of who has been pushing buttons I would want to push. How about all the $$$$ exchanging hands. Just doesn't seem like it's worth the risk. 

It will be interesting to see what happens to vp tables, resort fees, parking feesand other common tactics the casinos have been using to improve their bottom line.

I do hope that the people of Las Vegas survive this and remain strong but I mayself would be nervous to live there. 

Nevada has 7 cases?