Prince Harry's naked pictures scandal has proven that "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" might not be so true. Las Vegas has started an ad campaign to remind people to uphold the code and to think before sending out evidence of just how wild things can get in Sin City.
Someone either didn't know about the Las Vegas code or didn't care enough to hold to it when they took photos of a naked Prince Harry after a game of strip billiards. The photos were released to TMZ and now they're all over the internet and media.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) understands the severity of the issue for the royal bachelor and they aren't taking it likely. They're urging Las Vegas tourists to stay true to the code.
"Las Vegas is about adult freedom," said LCVA spokeswoman Courtney Fitzgerald's, as quoted by USA Today. "It's important for friends to know what activities can be shared publicly and what activities are protected by the code."
The city tourism board is launching an ad campaign, reminding people to "Know the Code." They have created ads using the British war poster "Keep Calm and Carry On," however they have extended the motto to say "Keep Calm and Carry On Harry." The poster is ended with the hashtag #KnowTheCode.
Other ads are condemning the person who didn't follow the code when they shared Prince Harry's private photos.
"For Shame! To those who traded in their pledge to their Las Vegas brethren, WE DEPLORE YOU," the ad reads in part. "We are calling on you, the defenders of what happens in Vegas staying in its rightful place -- in Vegas. We are asking for a shun on those exploiters of Prince Harry. We shall boycott partying with (whoever exploited Harry). No bottle service. No bikini clad girls." The ad provides a link to VisitLasVegas.com/knowthecode and asks people to sign a pledge to follow the code and to report instances of people who post embarrassing photos on Facebook, Twitter and blogs.
Despite the photographer breaking the code, the pictures seem to have led to an increased interest in travel to Las Vegas. Virgin holidays reported a 30 percent increase in searches for Las Vegas since the photos were released. Hotels.com reported a 123 percent increase in searches compared to the same time last year.
With more people choosing to party in Las Vegas after Prince Harry's antics, tourism officials want to remind tourists to have fun, but stick to the code.
