News Summary
Las Vegas is witnessing a significant decrease in tourism, with visitor numbers falling 11% compared to the previous year. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports that June brought just 3.1 million tourists, leading to a sharp decline in hotel occupancy rates and drawing concern from local leaders. Various factors, including political uncertainties and rising costs, are contributing to this troubling trend. The city’s overall tourism landscape shows signs of worsening, highlighted by Las Vegas’s drop to last place on AAA’s top Labor Day destinations list, and layoffs are beginning to emerge in the hospitality sector.
Las Vegas is experiencing a significant downturn in tourism this summer, with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reporting a sharp decline in the number of visitors. In June 2025, the city welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists, reflecting an 11 percent decrease compared to June 2024. This trend shows troubling implications for the local economy, particularly as international travel numbers significantly dropped, with a reported decrease of 13 percent during the same time frame.
Hotel occupancy rates in Las Vegas have also plummeted, with a drop of approximately 15 percent noted by hospitality analytics. The decline in visitors aligns with feedback from local leaders and industry representatives who have pointed to various contributing factors. Mayor Shelley Berkley remarked on a striking drop in tourism from Canada, traditionally the largest source of international visitors, noting a shift from a “torrent” to a “drip.” Similar declines were reported for tourists coming from Mexico, a demographic that frequently brings high-stakes gamblers to the Strip.
Ted Pappageorge, a union leader within the Culinary Workers Union, attributed the downturn to political uncertainties stemming from recent immigration and tariff policies. Concerns surrounding these issues may also explain the reduction in travel from Southern California, a region with a significant Latino population. Data from Canadian airlines further supports these findings as passenger numbers plummeted: Air Canada reported a 33 percent decline, WestJet a 31 percent fall, and Flair a staggering 62 percent drop in June compared to the previous year.
Travel agents in Canada have attributed the waning interest in visiting the United States and Las Vegas in particular to these political and economic factors. Despite the downturn in international tourism, some local businesses continue to experience strength in certain areas, such as gaming revenue, which has increased by 3.5 percent in Clark County since June 2024. However, these gains are not enough to offset the significant declines in overall tourism figures, prompting concern within the hospitality sector.
In a clear sign of the city’s evolving tourism landscape, the American Automobile Association (AAA) revealed that Las Vegas fell to the last position on its annual top ten list of Labor Day destinations for 2025, a stark contrast to its sixth-place ranking in 2024. While some visitors, such as those from Ireland, perceive busy crowds, this does not negate the overall financial impact of the drop in foot traffic.
While major attractions on the Strip face challenges, off-Strip venues like the Pinball Museum remain popular, benefiting from free admission and parking. Rising costs at upscale restaurants and resorts have been cited by both Mayor Berkley and local business owners as key obstacles to regaining tourist interest. Berkley has called for local establishments to consider making Las Vegas more affordable for visitors to encourage greater patronage.
The broader implications of Las Vegas’s struggles may be felt nationwide, as the U.S. is projected to experience a $12.5 billion decrease in international tourism overall this year. Declines in international visitation are evident across all foreign markets, including notable reductions in travel from the U.K., Germany, South Korea, Spain, Ireland, and Ecuador. Analysts have suggested that government policies may play a role in discouraging potential international visitors, further impacting local economies reliant on tourism.
In light of the ongoing economic challenges, recent layoffs within the Las Vegas hospitality sector have begun to surface, as businesses adapt to reduced visitor numbers and growing uncertainty. Employees in the tourism industry are increasingly concerned about job security and income levels amid these evolving circumstances.
As the city grapples with these multifaceted challenges, local residents and workers continue to express apprehension regarding the lower visitor engagement and the potential long-term effects of this tourism slump on Las Vegas’s economy.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News: Las Vegas tourism down, immigration and tariffs to blame
- Wikipedia: Tourism in the United States
- ABC News: Las Vegas tourism blames Trump’s tariffs, immigration crackdown
- Google Search: Las Vegas tourism
- News Nation: Las Vegas tourism detour to other destinations
- Google Scholar: Las Vegas tourism decline
- The Nevada Independent: Vegas tourism is down — some blame Trump’s tariffs and immigration crackdown
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas
- Time: Las Vegas tourism slump linked to Trump policies
- Google News: Las Vegas tourism 2025
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.
