GMA’s Perspective on Tourism and Security
In the Face of Crisis, Las Vegas Remains Resilient — GMA’s Perspective on Tourism and Security
On January 2, a shocking explosion outside the Trump International Hotel rattled the Las Vegas Strip. As authorities quickly responded and confirmed the incident was an isolated act, attention turned to what this meant for the city’s image and, more specifically, its tourism economy.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Josh Swissman, Founding Partner and Managing Director at GMA Consulting, provided crucial perspective:
“You think about the number of people that come and stay in all the hotel rooms up and down the Strip. There really aren’t very many places in the world like that, and so security is a primary focus… probably more than most any other place in the country.”
Swissman’s insight underscores a key reality: while shocking, incidents like this are unlikely to derail Las Vegas’s tourism momentum. The Strip is not only built for spectacle but also engineered for high-security, high-density public activity. Hotels, casinos, and resorts in the region have invested heavily in private security systems and maintain daily coordination with law enforcement to stay ahead of evolving threats.
With CES—one of the world’s largest technology conferences—set to bring over 150,000 visitors to the city days after the explosion, the city’s resilience and readiness are on full display. At GMA, we believe this event is a reminder of how vital operational security, preparedness, and clear communication are—not just in crisis response, but in sustaining long-term consumer confidence.
Las Vegas has seen—and survived—far more. This latest test only reaffirms the city’s ability to adapt, respond, and thrive.
For a comprehensive account of the incident and subsequent responses, refer to the original article: Las Vegas Boosts Police Patrols After Trump Hotel Bombing.