Well, I have had the ultimate travel and tourism experience
by spending a few days in Las Vegas – a place I can now best characterize as a
Disneyland experience for adults.
The state of Nevada and the desert metropolis are relatively isolated and yet Las Vegas has established itself as a
large and dynamic urban centre focused around gambling and entertainment on a
grand industrial scale. Nevada and
Las Vegas offers an interesting example of how remote and isolated places can
innovate and create economic opportunity – in this case with tourism. While the region has the advantage of a
warm climate and populous nearby states, it came as a surprise to learn that
the land in the region is largely owned by the U.S. federal government – about
85 percent. As well, nearby California
also appears to be resented because of past historical actions with respect to
land and water resources. It would
appear that regional alienation is not limited to Northern Ontario. As well, recessions affect Las Vegas
also. There are a number large and
impressive work sites where activity has ground to a halt due to lack of funds.
Las Vegas offers a unique experience. Where else in the course of a single
day can you visit massive reproductions of New York, Egypt, Paris, Rome and
Venice? At The Venetian, the
shopping mall follows the path of an inland waterway with gondolas and singing gondoliers. City planners in Thunder Bay take
note. What Thunder Bay needs are
canals and gondolas at the Intercity Mall with a direct canal link to the new
waterfront park (it can get double use for skating in the winter). Too expensive you say? No problem. Thunder Bay is just as capable of creative accounting and sudden
flash funds as Vegas. City Council
and administration can simply “forget” to budget for millions of dollars in
expenditures and then dip into either the reserve fund or find some new
leveraging partners.
Vegas is not just about gambling. There is entertainment ranging from the amazing Cirque du
Soleil to comedians and singers of all kinds. Malls
and shops abound. There are also
tours of the region to places like Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Hoover Dam was an impressive feat of
engineering and full of tourists the day I went.
And then there is the food and drink! You know you’ve left Ontario when you
see shoppers at the mall with beer and wine glass in hand walking around and
chatting. As for the food, the
all you can eat buffets are astounding though you do need to pace yourself. The high fat content of many of the buffet offerings
does not always agree with your digestion and can result in what you eat in
Vegas staying in Vegas.
Ah Las Vegas. I
wonder if Caesar’s Palace needs an economist?
