Resort visitors tend to stay longer and may or may not be focused on gaming, he said.īilled as a 'Las Vegas-style' casino, MGM National Harbor will include shops, restaurants and a 3,000-seat theater that, in its opening months, will attract acts including Bruno Mars, Cher, Sting, Boyz II Men and comedian Jim Gaffigan. Unlike some other casino business models, MGM traditionally goes for grand, resort-style casinos, where gambling is just one of the attractions, Pollock said. 'This would be a different bucket in terms of a consumer audience.' And there are students,' said Robin McClain, vice president of marketing and communications for the Destination DC marketing organization. 'We know families like to come - and people who like to learn about history.
Tourism officials hope the casino attracts more foreign visitors to the area and perhaps a new category of visitor.
