VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/203574
talking points Getting foreigners to explore state Company hopes to lure international tourist to Western cities for minivan adventures by Richard N. Velotta T CO GU LU ES M T N ourism marketers for years have been hyping Las Vegas as an international destination and great hub for outdoor adventure. Now, a New Zealand company has arrived to capitalize on both. Meet Tim Alpe, the "chief jucyfier" of Jucy Rentals Campervan, which brought a fleet of modified vans to Boulder Highway with plans to rent them to travelers who want to explore the outdoors surrounding Las Vegas. Alpe and his brother founded Jucy in 2001. They now own more than 2,700 vehicles in New Zealand and Australia and are expanding into the United States with rental operations in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. 20131104_VI06_F.indd 6 Valley between April 15 and Sept. 15. You can't travel to Alaska or Mexico (Canada is OK). And people who rent campers for the Burning Man Festival have to pay a $700 surcharge to cover the cost of cleaning out desert dust. Alpe said he is encouraged by prospects in Las Vegas. RV camping is popular with German and Swiss tourists, and next year McCarran International Airport plans to welcome nonstop flights from Zurich. The airport already receives flights from Frankfurt. If Jucy's West Coast ventures continue to succeed, Alpe said the brand may expand to the East Coast. He's eyeing Florida first. "Nobody had done the mini-RV in Las Vegas. The only option is the big Winnebago, the 24-foot RVs. We think we're a cheaper and easier option." — Tim Alpe Federal legislation to protect rights of LGBT workers has widespread public support erhaps nowhere else in our nation is the connection between booming business and sustainable communities as apparent as it is here. We all know the economic growth of our neighborhoods depends on small and large businesses. Business is in my blood — from my family's supermarkets to the automobile dealerships I oversaw to the public-private economic partnerships I built during my tenure as mayor of Las Vegas to fundamentally strengthen our community. That's why I'm proud to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), federal legislation that would protect hardworking gay and transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace based on than their sexual orientation or gender identity. It's hard to believe, but right now, in most places in America, there aren't state laws that protect gay and transgender people from losing their jobs just because of who they are. 6 a night, plus mileage. The typical foreign tourist rents one for 15 to 18 nights. Alpe expects Las Vegas travelers to visit the region's state and national parks — Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Great Basin, Death Valley, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Cathedral Gorge and Big Bend of the Colorado. Because the company has two other West Coast locations, it offers oneway rentals, which fits in with many visitors' itineraries. Overseas travelers often arrive in a gateway city, then rent a car or RV to travel the region. A oneway rental costs an extra $150 to $175. But Jucy does have a few quirky rules. You can't take vehicles to Death Put an end to discrimination by Jan Jones P Alpe says his campervans, which are modified in Southern California, are easier to maneuver and more convenient than recreational vehicles. "Nobody had done the mini-RV in Las Vegas," he said. "The only option is the big Winnebago, the 24-foot RVs. We think we're a cheaper and easier option. I don't think anybody really likes to drive a big one on the Strip." Vans are equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, sink, television and DVD player, with two double beds that can accommodate four people. The company's signature lime green and purple vehicles get about 18 miles to the gallon and rent for an average of $45 In Las Vegas, the concept of working hard and putting food on the table is something we all can relate to. The foundational value underpinning this very American concept is that opportunities for employment are not contingent on who we are but on how well we do our jobs — on our merits and job performance. And this is what ENDA is all about. The bill ensures gay and transgender employees are judged on their job performance, nothing more, nothing less — the same as we have done for race, religion, gender and disability. At Caesars Entertainment, we've long valued a diverse workforce where all of our employees know they will be judged on their talent. That's why we spoke out early on ENDA, as part of the Human Rights Campaign's Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness. We're proud to join more than 100 other Fortune 500 and major businesses supporting ENDA. It's not just gaming, resort and entertainment businesses that back ENDA — we're talking about major financial firms, manufacturers, tech companies; all coming together to send a powerful message that ENDA is good for business. Business-minded leaders aren't the only ones making the case for ENDA. The legislation has massive bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill and in states across the country. A recent survey from a prominent GOP pollster who has worked for Republican presidential campaigns found support for ENDA at nearly 70 percent nationwide, including 56 percent of Republicans. The survey also included unique modeling projections that estimate support for ENDA to stand at a strong 66 percent in Nevada. Everyone can relate to the Golden Rule — treating others the way we'd want to be treated. And who would want to be denied the opportunity to earn a paycheck not because of our level of skill or passion, but simply because of our sexual orientation? For too many gay and transgender Americans in this country, that is a devastating obstacle they must navigate. Our own Sen. Harry Reid supports the bill and has said he wants to bring it up for a vote. But we still need Sen. Dean Heller to voice his support for this common-sense legislation. I am optimistic that Heller will do the right thing a— particularly when he sees how popular ENDA is with virtually every demographic of his constituency. As mayor, I worked hard to improve our city by building diverse coalitions that successfully affected real change. That's why I'm so excited by the hugely diverse, bipartisan group that has come together to pass ENDA — it's a recipe for success. Jan Jones is a former two-term mayor of Las Vegas and the executive vice president of communications and government relations for Caesars Entertainment. A recent survey from a prominent GOP pollster who has worked for Republican presidential campaigns found support for ENDA at nearly 70 percent nationwide. | 4 NOVEMBER 2013 | 10/30/13 3:07:26 PM