Las Vegas local dining soars

As one of the most unique landscapes in the United States, the Las Vegas desert draws more than 37 million tourists each year. Visitors come hungry — spending millions of dollars in the city's restaurants.

Their spending continues to increase, as shown by data from National Restaurant Association partner American Express Business Insights. American Express research shows an 11.7 percent increase in Q1 2011 restaurant spending over the same period a year ago.

Among major U.S. markets, Las Vegas led in spending growth, followed by Seattle at 6.6 percent and Washington, D.C., at 3.4 percent.

But tourists aren't alone in their dining habits. Spending by Las Vegas locals increased 25.2 percent in the same period. The increase in "local" spending in Las Vegas was far more dramatic than in other larger cities, such as Miami, at 3.9 percent, or Washington, D.C, at 3.7 percent.

This copy was provided by American Express Business Insights, part of the company's Global Merchant Services.