Going to the NBA All Star Game in Vegas?

That's right - this season's NBA All Star Game will be held amongst the glittering backdrop of Viva! Las Vegas! For once, "What Happens in Las Vegas, Won't Stay In Las Vegas."

On a three-day weekend, no less, thousands of NBA fans will be vying with couples eloping to Vegas, other couples enjoying a gambling/gamboling getaway to the gaming capital and everyone else traveling to "Sin City" on that weekend.

For the first time, the NBA All Star game will be held in a city that doesn't have a professional basketball team. This is considered to be a very bold move for a league that discourages gambling within its own ranks. However, the popularity of the location will help sell tickets and create a great buzz.

The annual NBA All Star Weekend will be on the week-end of February 16th-18th, 2007. The game will be held at the Thomas and Mack Center near the Vegas strip. For interested fans, the popular combination of sports, gambling and great shows will be difficult to pass up.

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, the average monthly hotel occupancy rates already top 90 percent. The organization is conservatively estimating 40,000+ room nights will be booked by NBA Fans on that weekend. Since the basketball arena seats less than 17,000 people, there will be a lot of folks going to Vegas who won't actually be attending the All Star Game. Instead, they'll be watching at the many sports bars and lounges at casinos throughout the city. So, it's imperative to make reservations early if you're planning to attend the game and spend a night or two in Vegas.

Travel agents have already put together packages including tickets to the big game as well as one and two-night accommodation choices. Some of these packages will include airfares also. On sportstraveler.net, packages including hotel rooms range from $2115.00 to $3400.00. Their packages offer the Wynn Hotel and the Monte Carlo Hotel. (Please visit sportstraveler.net for details.)

At sports-empire.com, the packages start at just under $2100.00 and range up to $3300.00. These packages include a choice of accommodations at the Hampton Inn Tropicana, the Excalibur and Treasure Island. One of the main advantages of a package is the inclusion of transfers to and from the game and other attractions. (The very popular Slam Dunk.)

Individual tickets for the Feb. 18th game start at $1500.00 each on sportstraveler.net. That doesn't include any applicable taxes and shipping costs. They can also be picked up at the arena. At ticketnetonline.com tickets start at $1380.00 each. Again, that does not include any applicable taxes and shipping costs. These tickets can also be picked up at the arena on the day of play. On ticketliquidator.com, tickets start at $1320.00 each. Again that doesn't include any applicable taxes and shipping costs. It appears they only ship tickets.

Being a travel agent, I think if you can buy the game tickets separately, you can save a little money by booking everything else through a travel agent. In this case, I think the sports packages are a bit more expensive than using a reputable travel agent who can book everything for you at once, but separately. However, you'll need to provide a way to get to and from the game. For that, you might consider hiring a limo so you don't need to hassle with a scarcity of cabs, car rentals, and parking fees. Once you add the transfer fees in, it might be cheaper to buy the package instead. A reputable travel agent can verify the difference in costs for you. It might also be fun to be part of a group attending the same functions.

As a travel agent, I just researched individual hotel room rates and was able to find some as low as $129 to $165 per night. All of these locations were in downtown Las Vegas. Some of the motels will be less expensive but you'll spend money on a rental car or taxis unless you're driving there for the weekend and will have a car for your use.

Go, have fun, but make your reservations NOW!