As Las Vegas sees its hotel and casino businesses sputter and office, apartment and retail real estate markets flag, the rest of the country is hoping what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Despite its crushing housing market, one of the worst in the nation, Las Vegas' economy has been held up on the shoulders of tourists ready to imbibe giant drinks, shop, see shows, and, of course, gamble.

But there are growing signs that the higher cost of gas, food and airline travel is trumping the gold and glitter.