Travel Roundup: Vegas Tourism Drops, New VP at Outrigger, Holland Sails to South America and More

Las Vegas tourism and hotel occupancy down — According to August data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, visitor volume dropped 4.3 percent and hotel occupancy was down 2.4 percent from August of last year. Year-to-date numbers were also negative, showing visitors down 1.5 and occupancy 2.5 percent respectively. Gambling wins were also down. [Source: GlobeSt] 

Family of slain hotel manager sues hotel chains — The family of Cynthia White, a manager of a Columbia, Mo. Comfort Inn killed by an armed assailant last year, filed a wrongful death suit against Marriott International and Choice Hotels International for not strengthening security at the hotel. A coworker was raped by the same gunman a week before White was killed, and the suit claims the hotel chains did not install surveillance cameras, hire a security guard or change locks on the doors after the first incident. [Source: Columbia Tribune] 

Edmonstone new vice president at Outrigger — Darren J. Edmonstone has been named senior vice president for Asia for Outrigger Enterprises Group and will oversee the new Asia regional office in Phuket, Thailand. Edmonstone recently was an executive with HongKong and Shanghai Hotels Limited. The Honolulu-based Outrigger manages 40 hotels, resorts and other properties in the Asia-Pacific market with about $1 billion in assets. [Source: Outrigger, Hotels]

Holland America to sail to South America, Antarctica– Holland America has dedicated its cruise ship, Veendam, to cruise to South America and Antarctica for the 2009-2010 season.  The voyages will last 16 to 20 days and begin Oct. 31, 2009 from San Diego — a 19-day cruise to Valparaiso, Chile. A 20-day cruise to Antarctica will begin in December 2009 from Valparaiso. [Source: SmartBrief, Holland America]

Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau