LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Local neighborhoods across the Las Vegas Valley like Chinatown and the Arts District have now become tourism hotspots, and now the Historic Westside is the latest “locals” neighborhood starting to see an influx of tourists.
After the Super Bowl, the Historic Harrison House was not prepared for the surge of tourists after a special star stopped by unannounced outside: Usher, the half-time headliner with a successful Las Vegas residency.
“Phones started ringing. They wanted to see the Westside,” said Katie Duncan of the Harrison House. The home hosted tourists from decades past like Sammy Davis, Jr. and once listed the home for a stay on Airbnb. Duncan would like to list it again with approval from the city.
Social media has spurred a trend for Gen Z: venturing into local neighborhoods for authentic cultural experiences, history excursions and street food.
“We believe the whole Westside has that appeal. Young people want to know their history suddenly, and they want good food. And we’ve got both,” Duncan said.
Nevada Partners and UNLV are collaborating with Westside residents, businesses and non-profits to boost tourism on the Westside: UNLV Tourism Business Igniter. The program with federal dollars helps local businesses develop a business, marketing and social media plan to attract tourists.
“Cultural tourism is particularly relevant here in the Westside,” said Assistant Professor Marta Soligo, Director of Tourism Research for UNLV. When I asked our interviewees how would they like to see cultural tourism in the Historic Westside, we have so many answers. Some of them say music. They will love to see jazz clubs, and other say food,” Soligo said.
Small businesses like Soul Foo Young already see tourists from across the country. Owner Artesia Hall tells FOX5, she would love for tourists to spend a whole day in the Historic Westside, just like tourists do now in Chinatown and the Arts District.
You want to come and feel what was so great about the Westside and the nostalgia of it. If you do that, I think that you get more people over here. You tell them about the past, they’re intrigued to come see– find out –and then they find me,” Hall said.
The city of Las Vegas has a vision for the Historic Westside with their “Hundred Plan”: it includes revival of Jackson Street, once home to numerous minority-owned businesses, and now owned by property owners looking for opportunities. There is a plan for an entertainment district around the site of the historic Moulin Rouge, the site of the resort and casino that welcomed all visitors during the era of segregation.
For more information on the UNLV Tourism Business Igniter, click here: Nevada Partners
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