Las Vegas has always been Americas playground. From the early days it was known for its glitz and glamor. It was in the 1960s when Merv Griffins show was broadcast from Las Vegas that your every day American began making trips to Sin City.  Beginning in the 1980s and surging into the new millennium, foreign visitors became an increasingly important part  of the Las Vegas economy.

The Las Vegas Review Journal recently ran a story on Las Vegas attempts to capture and increase foreign visitors. in 2010 a record 6.7 million visitors came to Las Vegas from foreign lands, an amazing 18% of total visitors to the city that year. "The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority wants more, and has set a goal of making international travelers 30 percent of the Las Vegas total," the article stated. The question is, can Las Vegas capture these visitors?

Theres incentive to aim at increasing foreign tourists to seek out Las Vegas. The LVRJ lists some fascinating facts. "The average international traveler spends about $1,011 per stay and remains in the Las Vegas longer than four days each trip. Compare that with domestic tourists who spend $645 per visit on average and stay about three days." The key is trying business to pleasure. Get visitors to Las Vegas on business and theyll stay longer, and spend more money for pleasure.

Orlando remains prime competition for these tourism dollars,as does New York City and California.