Summary:
- Circus Circus was the first affected.
- Strip properties with bed bug reports include Caesars Palace and MGM Grand.
- The hotels must be clean and isolate the problem.
Bed bugs are something that every traveler wants to avoid. We all know common tips on avoiding bugs, such as leaving luggage off the bedding and checking under the mattress. Once reports of bed bugs strike, travelers tend to avoid the area like the plague. Unfortunately, such reports come from Las Vegas and involve major hotel and casino properties.
After one report of bed bugs surfaced over the weekend, it seems even more casinos are now affected. It will be a big hit to the tourism economy of Las Vegas as travelers look for other hotel stay options.
Several Casinos Affected
Reports first surfaced that Circus Circus had a bed bug issue. A customer was reportedly bitten while staying at the hotel a few months ago, and health records are only now going public. After the news broke and reporters did a little digging, it was found that bed bugs had also been seen at Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Palazzo, Planet Hollywood, Sahara and Tropicana.
If a casino in the Las Vegas area has bed bugs, they must take measures to clean and remove the problem. There is no fine or additional punishment for the issue. Caesars Palace is the only casino operator on the list that had two properties with bed bugs. The brand owns Planet Hollywood as well.
The company has commented on the matter, stating that comprehensive procedures are in place to handle the issue.
Is A Cleaning Rule Change to Blame?
The news of bed bugs being so prevalent in Las Vegas begs the question of why the issue is so widespread now. Over the past few years, hotels in Nevada have been required to clean rooms daily. This ensured that viruses such as COVID-19 were not spread or a major problem.
However, back in May, the state changed the rule and no longer had this requirement. The Culinary Union did not agree with the change. The group consists of the employees who clean hotel rooms on the Strip.
When the rooms are not cleaned daily, they are harder to clean. The time allotted per room is not increased, so it is difficult for each cleaning employee to ensure a quality space. The new law does not stop rooms from being cleaned every day; some casino hotels still continue with daily cleaning.
What Happens Now?
Because the public knows about the bed bug issue, how long will it affect the major resorts? Will people stop traveling to Las Vegas altogether due to fear of bed bugs? It may not seem like much, but bed bugs can be carried back home and cause a major infestation.
This small problem among a few hotels may result in lower night stays at several hotels on the Strip and a drastic cut in revenues in several sectors, including gaming and dining, due to lower travel numbers.
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