Las Vegas will further see an increase in UK visitor numbers from the end of the year as bmi launches its first direct scheduled service, operating from Manchester to Las Vegas, on October 31st, 2004. This service will operate three times per week.

Las Vegas, the city that already attracts over 325,000 UK visitors annually is leading the revival in visits to the USA. UK visits to North America grew 14% during the first five months of 2004 with UK residents making 1.8 million trips to North America. Las Vegas has largely been responsible for this growth, with visits up 63% to the end of May 2004 from this time last year.

As the city prepares to celebrate its Centennial in 2005 with a host of festivities throughout the year, the addition of the direct services is welcomed by Stella Clery Ackland, Managing Director of Cellet Travel Services, who represents Las Vegas in the UK. As Las Vegas continues to grow so does interest in visiting the city. It is a unique destination and with 2005 being the Centennial year we are expecting visitors to come and celebrate starting from New Year`s Eve when the million dollar firework display along `The Strip` commences. Stella commented.