Changing opening times
The Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will no longer be open seven days a week as a result of lower consumer demand.
Starting October 19, the property will open at 2pm on Thursdays and close at noon on Mondays. This change will remain in place “indefinitely until consumer demand for Las Vegas increases.”
The Encore poker room will move to the Wynn Las Vegas, near the casino’s self-parking garage, starting on Monday. It will be open every day of the week.
We have not yet determined the number of employees who will be furloughed”
Speaking about the effect of reduced hours on employees, Wynn Resorts said in a statement: “We have not yet determined the number of employees who will be furloughed as a result of the reduction in operating hours.”
Others could make similar changes
Hotel-casino resorts in Las Vegas are struggling because of lower consumer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main reasons for the midweek struggle is the significant drop in the level of business travel. Some experts in the hospitality industry believe that other hotel-casinos in Las Vegas may also limit their opening hours like Encore.?
income that they’re getting from weekend travel just isn’t enough to sustain normal operations.”
Greg Chase, the CEO of hospitality consulting group Experience Strategy Associates, believes: “There’s a threshold that properties are likely crossing at a point here where the income that they’re getting from weekend travel just isn’t enough to sustain normal operations.”
Some other Strip properties reduced their midweek operations after reopening following the pandemic shutdowns. The Palazzo’s hotel tower has not been taking any weekday reservations since July 21. Its casino floor, restaurants, and stores remain open every day.
The Planet Hollywood Resort reopened on October 8, with hotel reservations confined to Thursday through Sunday. The gaming floor remains open seven days per week.
Lower demand in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority data shows that 3.3 million people visited Las Vegas in February, with 760,300 of them attending conventions. This compares to just 1.5 million visitors in August, with no conventions taking place. Almost 83% of hotel rooms in Las Vegas were full midweek in February, compared to 34% midweek occupancy in August.
According to UNLV hospitality professor Amanda Belarmino, weekday operations in Las Vegas largely depend on business and convention travel. Other factors leading to lower visitor numbers due to the ongoing pandemic include the reluctance of many people to travel and the currently limited nightlife and entertainment scene in Las Vegas.