The occasion marked the 50th anniversary of the building iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” neon sign and according to the city’s mayor, Oscar Goodman, the start of summer on the Strip – a month ahead of other northern hemisphere destinations.
The publicity stunt, which saw around 300 bikini-clad women parade down The Strip, will do little to improve the city’s reputation for a lack of political correctness (women were asked to send in a photo along with their hip, waist and bust measurements, before participation could be approved) but plenty to publicise the city’s famous pool party scene.
It was followed by a swimwear retrospective, hosted by Holly Madison of the reality television programme Girl of the Playboy Mansion, featuring a catwalk show of bathing suits from the fifties to the present day.
The city has been struggled in recent months to attract visitors due to the economic downturn.
Visitor numbers are down nearly ten per cent on last year, while the major casinos earned 17 per cent less from gamblers in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period in 2008, according to Nevada regulators.
As a result the city is keen to stress that if offers more than just the traditional glitz, glamour and gambling of the Strip, focusing on everything from gastronomy and golf to culture, spas and now pool parties to try and widen city’s appeal.
“Las Vegas has an incredibly unique and vibrant pool culture that is unlike any other in the world,” said Cathy Tull, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Subject: usa - las vages :D - SOURCE : YAHOO 
Thu May 21, 2009 11:25 am
