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AC casinos and resorts beef up outdoor
appeal August 5
In an attempt to stave off
new competition from neighboring Pennsylvania, which is soon
to become a state allowing slots, and other profit woes,
Atlantic City has something to say, and offer apparently.
After a Senate committee
meeting held last Monday, where experts warned the state
about possible additional financial declines due in part, by
the recent legalization of slots in Pennsylvania, who
contributes up to 20% of Atlantic City's gamers, Atlantic
City is ready to chat about their offerings beyond the
slots.
With the news last week about
the Trump Hotels and Casinos Inc.'s second quarter loss, it
is apparent that AC needs a boost in revenue.
For the longest time, the
main strategy for success was to keep the guests inside,
keeping them away from any possible off site activities that
might keep them from gambling in their casinos. Now, with
all the new competition, the city it seems, is pulling
together to keep tourism up.
Since, the reversal of a
longstanding law against alcohol on the beeches in 2002,
many new outdoor bars, full service restaurants, and outdoor
concerts at resorts, have popped up allowing non gaming
activities to move outside. After all, why waist a great
view of the ocean hiding in the casinos. Well, to further
entice vacationers into town by offering a wider variety of
things to do other than gamble, they feel they will be able
to step up to the new competition.
Billy McNulty, Vice President
of Food and Beverage at Bally's AC calls it a simple natural
resource. By utilizing common resort practices it's a cinch.
AC may not have needed to tap into this resource in the
past, but they sure do now it seems.
At Bally's Bikini Beach Bar,
servers wearing bathing suits with sarongs move around the
planted palms and tiki torches that bring that island
getaway feel to AC. They also provide complete beach
accessories like cabanas and beach chairs. It is said to
create a youthful appeal as well as to older people who just
want to relax.
The newer addition, The
Borgata in the marina district, which is not on the
boardwalk, has drawn huge crows into town for outdoor rock
festivals.
The resorts and casinos
already understand that they must open their doors to the
outside. Some even provide free pilates and yoga classes. By
providing all that on the resort property, it's almost all
inclusive and guests don't really feel the need to leave the
property after all.
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