Vegas officials estimate tourism up this Labor Day

LAS VEGAS?? Las Vegas tourism officials estimate this Labor Day weekend is bringing in almost 4 percent more visitors and nearly $7 million more than last year's holiday.

1. Don't miss these Travel stories

   1. NYC taxi drivers recall 9/11

      In the hours, weeks and months following the 9/11 terror attacks, Cliff Adler was just one of New York City's taxi drivers who lined up to transport emergency workers and volunteers.

   2. Bill Lindauer: 'It was a time for seriousness'
   3. Jose Bataller: 'It was like a bad dream'
   4. Mohammed Jamil Hussain: 'I have to at least help people'
   5. Airport security: You ain't seen nothing yet

Projections from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority show the city prepared for 291,000 visitors this weekend, up 3.6 percent from 281,000 last year.

Hotels are expected to be at 91 percent of capacity, up from 89 percent in 2010.

Labor Day weekend spending that doesn't include gambling is expected to total nearly $178.7 million, up almost 4 percent from $172 million a year ago.

Visitors Authority spokesman Jeremy Handel says Labor Day is one of the biggest three-day weekends for Sin City as visitors take their last trips of the summer.

Final numbers on the weekend's tourism are expected in coming weeks.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44409382/ns/travel-news/

matthew mcconaughey roy orbison chuck berry mcc freddie mercury hbo movie theaters