According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority latest research, the Las Vegas hotels rates went down, a factor that skyrocketed the number of visitors and registering a 3.1% increase in February compared with the same month in 2007. Room prices also decreased considerably, some rates drop by more than 20% from a year ago, Harrah’s reports rooms for $75, Bally's Hotel and Casino has rooms listed for $69 and the Las Vegas gems, the Wynn Las Vegas and the Venetian Hotel and Casino have rooms available for $199. The Four Seasons, one of the Strip's most luxurious hotels is offering a $50 discount on certain hotel services and rooms for less than $400 a night.

“To offset rising fuel prices, some travelers are targeting less expensive hotels or booking further in advance for better rates. Las Vegas travelers should expect rates to fall over the summer” senior editor Genevieve Shaw Brown said.

Before the winds of a recession became a national concern, the Las Vegas started to prepare its machinery for a possible economic slowdown and launched a series of advertising campaigns showing a new and improved image on national TV including the tagline: "You might know Vegas but you don't know Vegas right now." But not everything is good for the visitors and the establishments, the Las Vegas airfare prices went up since last year and when it comes to entertainment, an average ticket for the Las Vegas shows cost more than it is on Broadway. Also, the gambling profits fell below $866 million in ClarkCounty, which represents a 3% drop from last year.

"It's been surprising to us because Las Vegas has always been considered recession-proof," said Ray Snisky, president of Funjet Vacations, a brand of Mark Travel Corp