CityCentre fuels hope in Las Vegas

When Barack Obama, the US president, attacked corporate junkets to places such as Las Vegas earlier this year, he was acknowledging public anger against the lavish behaviour of some companies that were bailed out by US taxpayers. Mr Barack’s comments did little to endear him to resort owners dependent on conventioneers and tourists.

Nonetheless, MGM Mirage was hoping the president might include a quick stop in Las Vegas when he heads west to Hawaii for the Christmas holiday next week to visit CityCenter, an US$8.5 billion (Dh31.22bn) complex of hotels, condominiums, shops, restaurants and gaming activities built in partnership with Dubai World. A presidential visit would give a much needed fillip to a city hit hard by recession and foreclosures and where much local hope is invested in CityCenter, which will officially open tomorrow with a big party and fireworks.

The sprawling “city within a city” is so big, it covers 27 hectares, that it has already held several opening nights for its component parts, including a party for the Vdara Hotel and Spa hosted by Vanity Fair magazine and attended by celebrities include the British movie star Orlando Bloom.