The new data also shows an increase in convention attendance and a decrease in hotel-motel occupancy. The number of conventions in July jumped 22.1% to 1,531 and attendance increased 11.1% to 392,338. Overall hotel-motel occupancy finished July at 91.1%, down 80 basis points from July 2005, due to a decline in motel occupancy. Motel occupancy fell 103 basis points to 63.8% while hotel occupancy improved by 50 basis points to 95%.

In Laughlin, NV, where Arizona, California and Nevada come together, visitor volume was 294,151 in July, off 16.7% from the previous July, according to the LVCVA. Year-to-date, visitor volume in Laughlin is off 13.6%. Total hotel occupancy is off 630 basis points to 78% from 84.3% in July 2005. Year-to-date, occupancy in Laughlin stands at 79.1%, off 330 basis points from 2005.

Moving in the other direction, visitor volume in Mesquite, near where Nevada, Utah and Arizona come together, was up 1.6% in July to 126,798. Year-to-date through July, visitor volume remains down 4.7%. Hotel occupancy also was up slightly in July to 77.8% but the year-to-date average of 84% is off 4.4% from 2005.