McCarran Goes ‘All In’ on Traveler Confidence
McCarran International Airport (LAS) launched its “LAS All In” campaign in May with the goal of instilling confidence in travelers by letting them know what steps the airport is taking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Equally important is educating the public about steps travelers can take to keep themselves and others they encounter safe and healthy during air travel.
Early in the global health crisis, McCarran shared best practices put forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As it became clear a long-term strategy was needed, the airport developed “LAS All In” - an “only in Vegas” campaign to deliver messages in a way that would attract attention while also being memorable.
So what should travelers expect when they arrive at LAS?
From the moment they get out of their car until the time they board a flight, travelers will see and hear a variety of messages drawing on Nevada’s rich gambling tradition. Passengers are advised to “Always Split Aces: Stay 6 ft Apart,” “Cover Your Poker Face,” “Bet Against the Spread” and “Don’t Roll the Dice.”
Patrons are reminded that only ticketed passengers should enter the airport. They are encouraged to utilize options such as online check-in and mobile boarding passes. This promotes social distancing by reducing the number of people in the buildings, as well as the amount of person-to-person interactions taking place.
To reach its diverse customer base, the airport has shared its messages in a variety of ways. In addition to static and digital signage and overhead announcements, daily social media posts help to bring a wider awareness of the measures being taken. LAS’s social media channels continue to amplify the efforts of partner airlines and other airports to instill confidence in passengers from departure to arrival. Billboards near the airport direct the community to McCarran’s website to learn more. Proactive media outreach also helps keep these new travel habits top of mind for those returning to flying.
To keep that travel confidence, passengers must see these changes in action. Airport custodial teams have doubled down on the frequency and scope of their cleaning. McCarran has even reassigned team members from administrative functions to assist in these efforts. This means passengers will see employees out in the terminals cleaning high-touch surfaces such as ticketing kiosks or escalators.
Now that Nevada’s governor has mandated facial coverings in public spaces, there might even be an employee kindly asking passengers to cover up. This is a new travel habit and not everyone remembers to have a mask when traveling, or how to wear one properly. Luckily, there are multiple concessionaires selling masks; eight PPE vending machines located throughout the terminals for convenience; and complimentary masks are available from passenger service staff and at information booths.
As a leisure destination the pandemic has dealt Las Vegas an especially difficult hand. But tourists were not going to avoid Vegas for long. For LAS there was no option to fold and walk away. The best bet was to play the cards and go all in.