The Tropicana, a pioneer luxury resort on the Las Vegas Strip, has a long history of serving middle-class guests. Its connections to organized crime and a changing competitive landscape marked the decline of its glamorous era. After being sold to Ramada in 1979, it transitioned through various ownerships, continuing to operate as an affordable resort until its eventual closure.
As demand for upscale experiences grows among visitors to Las Vegas, the city is now facing competition from destinations like San Francisco and New York rather than traditional gambling spots such as Atlantic City and Laughlin. Expert Belarmino noted that guests frequently compare Las Vegas to these high-end locations, viewing it as a value choice.
The days of ultra-low hotel rates—like $20 nights with no resort fees—on the Strip appear to be fading. Nicholas Irwin, the research director for UNLV’s Lied Center for Real Estate, commented that concerns are emerging about whether the focus is on business growth or on investing in local communities and workforce development.
UNLV predicts that Clark County’s population will continue to rise at a rate of 1.6% this year and 1.4% next year, partly due to an influx of residents from California, including Alicia Muscs, 26, who relocated for the lower cost of living. Irwin pointed out that these newcomers are generally 15% to 19% wealthier than their Nevada counterparts, which is increasing demand and consequently prices for local goods and services. This shift may have significant political implications for Nevada, a key swing state with both presidential campaigns focusing on economic concerns.