Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

December 7, 2009

UPDATED: No Push For Locals as ARIA Customers?

Posted by Hunter

This one was too odd not to post. Steve Friess has a blog post with a quote from MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren where he says he doesn't really care if locals visit ARIA, implying it's the least important part of the complex (to him?).

http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/2009/12/murren-is-ok-with-locals-skipping-aria.html

This seems like an odd thing to say, the simplest reason being that ARIA has a killer spa, pool day-club and a bunch of high-end restaurants, let alone 150,000 square foot casino. It'll be interesting if he backtracks from this at all - almost sounds like it didn't come out right.

Update: It gets even better!



Comments

Read archived comments (5 so far)
December 8, 2009 6:45 AM Posted by Brian Fey

I guess I understand the importance of reporting on this from the perspective of a reporting outlet, but i think this whole thing is kind of getting blown out of proportion. I think he was just some what speaking off the cuff. I'm no expert, but I would be curious to see the percentage of revenue of say a Wynn or Bellagio, that comes from locals, but I'd guess its a very small percentage. I could be wrong. But I sure don't think locals will make or break City Center. The Strip was built for tourist not locals.

December 8, 2009 7:55 AM Posted by Hunter

Probably high single digits - larger for some stuff (i.e. buffet, nightclubs, bars) than other stuff (hotel).

Still, Wynn and some MGM resorts like Bellagio started heavily going after locals about a 18 months ago. That's part of what makes it strange to say but also because it goes with the theme that a top gaming company is run by a guy that doesn't seem to really like gaming all that much. I think that's interesting.

December 8, 2009 10:34 AM Posted by Hans

Wouldn't some of the "locals" that he might want to attract to Aria include those folks that will be moving into the CC condo units, etc.? I'm having a hard time reconciling the "Urban Environment Like Manhattan" talking points with this latest comment.

Is Murren's idea of the urban built environment just big buildings that serve a transient population (Times Square, Century City) or an environment that allows workers, residents and travelers to mingle (as in many other areas of NYC, London, Paris, etc.)

All that said, I am looking forward to staying at the MO next month, if only to check out the public art.

December 8, 2009 4:08 PM Posted by detroit1051

And yet, Murren tells the LV Sun that locals will come. The readers' comments following the story are not too positive:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/08/murren-locals-will-visit-strip-go-citycenter/

December 8, 2009 4:26 PM Posted by John

It should be noted that reader comments on any news site are usually pretty inane and shitty.