Vegas: Don’t Bet On Phoenix

Arizona businesses and hotels, banking on big bucks from the upcoming Super Bowl, may have a little competition.

Las Vegas hotels are betting Super Bowl patrons would rather stay in their less expensive hotels and take a 1-hour flight to Phoenix for the game.

Although nothing is in place yet, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is gearing up to market the gambling town’s hotel rooms and vacation packages to Super Bowl patrons, said Rob Dondero, a visitors bureau spokesman.

And with Phoenix’s 35,000 rooms either booked or blocked out for the game, it’s easier to plan Super Bowl time around Las Vegas than Phoenix, according to Dondero.

“Right now if I were to call Phoenix and try to get a room for the Super Bowl, I could not find one. But if you were to call Las Vegas, I’m sure there’s plenty of places to find a room,” he said.

Steve Patterson, executive director of the Super Bowl Host Committee, said Arizona hotels can’t compete.

“We cannot compete on price. We’ll lose that battle every time,” he said.

Las Vegas hotels, which are subsidized with gambling profits, average about $80 a night, Dondero said. Phoenix hotels are being quoted at an average $200 a night.

Depending upon which teams are playing in the game, Dondero said he expects between 10,000 and 20,000 Super Bowl customers that weekend.

But Patterson said those who do choose to take the Las Vegas route will lose out.

“All of the activities will be here in this community. If someone takes a large group to Las Vegas, it isn’t going to be about the Super Bowl, it’s going to be about Las Vegas,” Patterson said.

About 100,000 are expected to visit the Phoenix area from Jan. 15-29 for the Super Bowl, which will be played in suburban Tempe.