At least well-to-do folks like Las Vegas

At least the well-to-do folks like us.

The 2011 Mendelsohn Affluent Survey revealed Las Vegas was the No. 1 travel destination in 2010 for adults with an annual household income of more than $100,000. The research was conducted by Ipsos Mendelsohn, a firm that collects behavioral data and trend information on luxury consumers, and presented Tuesday in Las Vegas by the Luxury Marketing Council. In its 35th edition, the survey for the first time included any affluent adult, not just heads of household.

"What that means is, we do a better job of picking up the younger affluents," said Stephen Kraus, chief research and insights officer for Ipsos Mendelsohn.

After Las Vegas, New York City ranked second as the most traveled to destination, with Orlando and Los Angeles tying for third. While vacationing, this group primarily wants to shop and sightsee.

"When it comes to travel, people like to have fun and people like to shop," Kraus said. "Las Vegas has world-class shopping. Also, Las Vegas is unabashedly and unashamedly about fun."

The study also found that 76 percent of those polled plan to take a vacation this year. Probably more will venture out, though -- up to 83 percent by the end of 2011. The reason so many are out and about?

Frugal fatigue, Kraus said.

Translation: They're tired of saving and they want to spend.

On their most recent getaway, people in this group spent about $2,800 and usually stay at a hotel rated at four-stars or higher.

Those are just the customers at Las Vegas businesses like the Palm Restaurant are looking for.

Michelle Dillard, the restaurant's sales manager, said the survey helps businesses marketing to high-end consumers, based on age. Traditionally, the Palm markets itself through word-of-mouth, a technique that works better with baby boomers and older generations.

"We're trying now to target a younger age bracket," Dillard said.

The restaurant will soon have a Facebook page that lists the nightly specials and happy hour deals aimed at younger -- but still affluent -- diners.

Ipsos Mendelsohn presented a 28-page questionnaire to 14,405 people to track spending in more than 150 categories. Each percentile reported represents 600,000 affluent individuals living in the United States. Out of the entire U.S. population of 58 million adults, 21 percent are considered affluent and hold 60 percent of the wealth.

The median household income of this group is $141,000 and the median household net worth is $544,000.

"This is a tremendous amount of wealth in the hands of just a few people," Kraus said.

Contact reporter Laura Emerson at lemerson@lvbusinesspress.com or 702-380-4588.