LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A live mariachi is scheduled to welcome some of the nearly 6,000 visitors expected to fly from Mexico to Las Vegas for Mexican Independence Day weekend.

McCarran International Airport says 42 commercial flights are coming direct from Mexico on Friday and Saturday. That includes regularly scheduled flights and another 17 flights from cities that don't usually offer direct service to Las Vegas.

The star-studded holiday weekend includes a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana, as well as performances from major Latin artists including Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel and Marc Anthony.

The airport says year-round passenger traffic from Mexico is up 93 percent from where it was four years ago.

Tourism officials seek out international visitors because they stay longer and spend more than domestic travelers.

Room reservations are now open for the new SLS Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The resort announced the first rooms will be available beginning August 25. The property's grand opening celebration will be Labor Day weekend.

Reservations can be made through SLSlasvegas.com. Rooms will start at $109 per night on weekdays and $139 per night on weekends. The offer requires a two-night minimum stay and is valid from Sept. 1 through Dec. 27. There are some blackout dates.

The website will also allow people to book restaurant and nightlife venues along with tickets to events on the property.

Hospitality company sbe remodeled the Sahara Hotel and Casino to create the SLS Las Vegas. The newly remodeled resort will feature 1,600 rooms and suites, 30,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, along with new dining and nightlife options.

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- MGM Resorts International's fourth-quarter loss narrowed, helped by reduced expenses.

The casino operator lost $38.3 million, or 8 cents per share, for the period ended December 31. That compares with a loss of $1.22 billion, or $2.50 per share, a year ago.

Analysts, whose estimates typically exclude one-time items, predicted a loss of a penny per share. Expenses declined to $2.2 billion from $2.72 billion.

Revenue rose 10 percent to $2.51 billion from $2.29 billion. Casino revenue climbed, as did revenue for rooms, food and beverages and entertainment. Wall Street forecast revenue of $2.47 billion.

MGM China's board also announced a $500 million special dividend on Wednesday. Shares of MGM Resorts shed 20 cents to $25.65 in premarket trading 45 minutes ahead of the market opening.