News Summary
Las Vegas navigates a challenging tourism decline of 6.5% while witnessing business growth. Key appointments and new openings showcase resilience in the face of economic hurdles. Experts remain cautiously optimistic with upcoming developments in the sports sector and union activities aiming to improve local conditions.
Las Vegas is experiencing a mix of significant business developments alongside notable economic challenges, particularly in its tourism sector. Recent data indicates a troubling decline in tourism, with a 6.5% drop from May 2024 to May 2025, and hotel occupancy rates falling by 3.1%. Simultaneously, various local businesses are making strides and appointing key figures to help drive growth in the midst of these challenges.
Spotlight Outdoor Ads has recently appointed Alex Wongthongsanguan as a senior account executive specializing in local-advertiser sales. Wongthongsanguan brings five years of experience in the Las Vegas entertainment and lifestyle news sector, having previously worked as a booker and producer for a local television show.
Handel’s Ice Cream expanded its presence by opening its fourth location at 1685 E. Cactus Avenue in Henderson on September 4. This new store is franchisee Patrick Frank’s second location within the city. Additionally, Slime Kitchen launched a new franchise at the Fashion Show mall, providing a unique experience for children to create custom slimes through a 10-step process.
In other business developments, WOW Carwash inaugurated its 18th location in Las Vegas at 8580 W. Desert Inn Road, signifying growth in the car wash sector.
In the healthcare community, Sunrise Hospital appointed Dr. Sherrie Somers as its new chief medical officer. Dr. Somers will oversee all medical operations at the facility and brings over 30 years of healthcare leadership experience. Further supporting the state’s economic efforts, Cameron Belt has joined the Nevada Policy’s policy team as an economist and researcher, tasked with identifying barriers to business growth.
The William S. Boyd School of Law also broadened its faculty by welcoming 10 new members with diverse expertise in different legal fields. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the quality of legal education in the region. Additionally, the Las Vegas City Council has unanimously ratified Rosa Cortez as a new deputy city manager, where she will supervise several departments, including overseeing a substantial $1.8 billion capital improvement project fund.
Despite the positive business developments, Las Vegas continues to feel the effects of declining tourism. Local restaurant Naked City Pizza reported a notable decrease in orders, attributing this trend to the city’s decreasing visitor numbers. Airport passenger statistics from Harry Reid International Airport reveal a drop of nearly 4% during the same time frame, further illustrating the tourism dip.
Experts show cautious optimism for the future. The introduction of a new professional sports franchise, the A’s, is anticipated to help counteract the tourism slump when the team begins its Las Vegas season in 2028. Meanwhile, the unionization landscape of major casinos along the Strip has reached historic levels, with all now unionized. The Culinary Workers Union successfully negotiated significant contracts, including a 32% pay increase for workers over the next five years. This union activity is not only improving working conditions but is also impacting community outreach and political endorsements.
Moreover, there are growing concerns surrounding housing in Las Vegas, with a reported 77% increase in active home listings compared to last year. Such a rise in inventory highlights the potential economic vulnerabilities facing the city, emphasizing the need for measures to rejuvenate the tourism-dependent sectors that have been hit hard by declining revenue and occupancy rates.
As Las Vegas navigates these dual narratives of new business advancements and economic hurdles, its adaptability remains vital for future growth and stability.
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Additional Resources
- The Street: Las Vegas Strip Casinos Reverse a Disturbing Trend
- Wikipedia: Las Vegas
- Newsweek: Las Vegas Economic Troubles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas
- News 3 LV: Las Vegas Tourism Slump
- Google Search: Las Vegas business trends
- NBC News: Major Las Vegas Strip Casinos Unionized
- Google News: Las Vegas economic challenges
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
