Las Vegas' gaming industry could be prey to terrorists because of its visibility and reliance on leisure travel, security experts said this week.
Terrorists say strikes are "highly likely to have great economic consequences, high chance of life being lost, symbolic, and easy access to publicity."
Tarow will be a special speaker at a conference in Las Vegas next week that aims to strengthen the security of casino executives and the gaming industry.
The conference is sponsored by the Homeland Education Resource Organization (HERO), a Washington-based consulting firm, with support from the Department of Homeland Security and the Risk and Insurance Management Association.
"Look at Las Vegas. You have a lot of media, a lot of people, a lot of economic consequences, a lot of icons, a lot of famous hotels," said Tarlow, senior adviser on tourism security at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Las Vegas' reliance on leisure travel underscores Las Vegas' vulnerability "because visitors always have the option not to go."
Erica Brandbig, a spokesman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said: "In a definitely high profile sense of homeland security and travel, it's important for visitors to know that their destination is acting responsibly."
Brandvik said that while Las Vegas residents consider the main resort a prominent location, they didn't think Las Vegas would be considered a major economic hub.
"We are only cautious about preparing ourselves, though," she said.
Captain Mike McClary, who is in charge of homeland security for the Las Vegas Police Department, agreed that terrorists would not consider Las Vegas a central commercial hub.
"Should Las Vegas be concerned about terrorism? Absolutely. But communities like us with a discretionary spending-based economy should be aware of the threats involved," he said.
Nevertheless, HERO managing director Marcus Cohen said, "Casinos need to understand that more security means more benefits. People will come to Las Vegas if they feel safe. Even if an incident occurs, people will come when they feel safe."
Tarlo said casinos "need good training, need to invest in security, need crisis management teams and need to work on guarantee issues, not security" to protect themselves from terrorism
McClary said, "Terrorism is real and the problems we are dealing with are real. Nevertheless, this community's gaming industry has done a better job than the industry across the country."
Cohen said Tuesday and Wednesday at a conference on "Gambling with Security: Hospitality and Games Face High Stakes" at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where up to 500 attendees are expected. 바카라사이트 추천