<img class="shrinkToFit decoded" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.parentdish.co.uk/media/2011/06/8.-high-res-stratosphere.jpg" alt="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.parentdish.co.uk/media/2011/06/8.-high-res-stratosphere.jpg" width="500" height="325" />LAS VEGAS -- The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower welcomed its 40 millionth visitor Monday and the guest turned out to be a British tourist making his first ever trip to Las Vegas.Just after 10:30 a.m., James Kennedy of Birmingham, England, was greeted by Stratosphere General Manager Paul Hobson at the entrance to the 1,149-foot-tall tower with balloons, an entourage of Stratosphere employees and cameras.Hobson presented Kennedy with a Stay & Play Getaway at the hotel-casino valued at $2,500.The Stratosphere opened in April 1996, providing visitors with a panoramic view from the tallest freestanding observation tower in the country. The Tower is the tallest structure in Las Vegas and the tallest building West of the Mississippi River. <a href="http://www.casinocitytimes.com/article/stratosphere-tower-welcomes-40-millionth-visitor-63160" >source</a>
