AOL Launches New Las Vegas Guide With VEGAS.com
AOL Vegas Partners with VEGAS.com to Provide Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Reviews, Travel Information, Tickets and More
Site to Feature Original Video and Insider Blog from Robin Leach's Total Vegas Television (TVT), Plus Free Casino Games, Including World Series of Poker Content
Dulles, VA and Las Vegas, NV – Tapping the enormous popularity of Las Vegas, AOL today launched AOL Vegas, an entirely new online experience dedicated to all things Vegas. More than just a travel Web site, AOL Vegas serves both the Las Vegas traveler as well as those who want to experience Vegas virtually from their home or office. It offers a comprehensive mix of free casino games, Las Vegas hotel and casino reviews, online travel guides, event and airline tickets, original behind-the-scenes video and much more. Available free on the Web, AOL Vegas is part of the AOL CityGuide network, the leading local entertainment guide online, and can be accessed through the AOL.com portal.
VEGAS.com, a city travel site, is the primary content and advertising partner in the AOL Vegas destination. As part of this multi-year strategic partnership, VEGAS.com will supply travel and entertainment ticketing capabilities; detailed reviews of hotels, casinos, spas and restaurants; information on local events and attractions; photo galleries and a weekly video feature called "Vegas Minute," offering a rundown of the best bets for activities, shows and events in Vegas for the week.
In addition, Total Vegas Television (TVT), a full-service, multi-platform Las Vegas-themed content service provider founded by legendary television producer and host Robin Leach, will provide weekly video segments covering the best of Las Vegas, including shows, hotels, spas, restaurants and celebrities. AOL Vegas will also exclusively feature Robin Leach's personal blog, "Luxe Life," giving readers Leach's unique perspective on the hottest events, parties and celebrity encounters.
"Without question, Las Vegas ranks among the hottest destinations in the U.S.," said Scott Richman, Vice President and General Manager, AOL CityGuide. "With that in mind, we created AOL Vegas to serve both those who wish to travel there and those who want to explore this great city online. Working with our partner VEGAS.com, and integrating content from Total Vegas Television, we feel we have created more than a travel site, but rather a virtual online Las Vegas experience."
Howard Lefkowitz, President of VEGAS.com, added, "We are delighted to be teaming with AOL to bring our leading content and commerce to this exciting new site. This partnership offers a great opportunity to expose our brand and our content to AOL's large and engaged audience base."
Robin Leach, Founder and CEO, Total Vegas Television, said, "As an America Online member from its earliest days, I am so pleased to be a part of the new AOL Vegas destination. As a Vegas resident for seven years, I can easily say it is the hottest, most exciting entertainment city in the world. We will provide an exclusive insider's look at Las Vegas' dining, nightlife, entertainment and celebrity visitors through original TVT-produced video and my five-day-a-week 'Luxe Life' journal. Now, if it happens in Vegas, consumers can find it on the AOL Vegas site."
Key elements of AOL Vegas include:
- Casino-style Gaming: Access an array of free casino-style games from AOL Games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Slots and more. Gaming fans can also visit an AOL/World Series of Poker co-branded poker area for poker games and tournaments, behind-the-scenes reports from World Series of Poker events, and more. Select lucky players can with the chance play at offline World Series of Poker events. For those traveling to Vegas, the Vegas Gambling Guide can advise as to the best places to put gaming skills to the test.
- Travel: Access the all the information travelers need to plan their trip to Las Vegas, including flight, car and hotel reservations, as well as special package deals, with content from VEGAS.com and AOL Travel. The site also provides extensive details and user reviews on all of Las Vegas' best-known hotels and casinos, so visitors can decide which ones will best meet their tastes and budget.
- Events & Show Ticketing: Get information and reviews on shows, comedy, sporting and family-friendly events, and more—then purchase tickets from VEGAS.com or Ticketmaster with just a few clicks.
- Video Features: Enjoy weekly short video segments from VEGAS.com and TVT that provide an insider's look at the best of Las Vegas. In addition to VEGAS.com's "Vegas Minute," features will include TVT's "Luxury Life," a look at Vegas' most extravagant hotels, spas, dining and parties; "Counter Intelligence," covering the city's dining scene; and "All Access," a behind-the-scenes look at Vegas' sexiest shows.
Las Vegas ranks among the top travel destinations in the world, with 37 million visitors each year and more than $33.7 billion in tourism revenue. In addition, it is the most searched travel destination on AOL Search, outpacing such popular destinations such as Florida and Hawaii.
AOL Vegas is part of the AOL CityGuide network, the leading online local entertainment guide. AOL CityGuide is a one-stop destination for people who want to know where to go and what to do in more than 300 cities. AOL CityGuide's information offerings focus on restaurants, bars, movies, bars and special events, with detailed information like, directions, editorial recommendations, and live event tickets to more than 40,000 events at more than 6,000 venues, making it the most comprehensive ticketing resource online. Formerly known as the Digital City service, AOL CityGuide can be found free on the Web at aolcityguide.com.
SOURCE: AOL and VEGAS.com