Las Vegas is experiencing a downturn in tourism this summer, with fewer visitors reported at resorts and convention centers compared to the previous year. This decline is particularly noticeable among international travelers, leading some officials to point fingers at the Trump administration’s tariffs and immigration policies.
In June, the city saw just under 3.1 million tourists, an 11% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The number of international travelers dropped by 13%, and hotel occupancy also suffered a significant blow, falling by approximately 15%, according to figures released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Mayor Shelley Berkley highlighted the sharp decline in tourism from Canada, historically Nevada’s largest international market, describing the change as a drop from a “torrent” to a mere “drip.” A similar trend has been observed with visitors from Mexico.
“We have a number of very high rollers that come in from Mexico that aren’t so keen on coming in right now. And that seems to be the prevailing attitude internationally,” Berkley noted, emphasizing the broader impact on international tourism.
Ted Pappageorge, who leads the Culinary Workers Union, has labeled the situation the “Trump slump.” He suggested that decreased visits from Southern California, which has a large Latino population, are attributable to fears surrounding the administration’s intensified immigration enforcement.
“If you if you tell the rest of the world they’re not welcome, then they won’t come,” Pappageorge stated, underscoring concerns about the message being conveyed to potential visitors.
This downturn in Las Vegas tourism reflects a broader national trend. Travel forecasting firm Tourism Economics, which initially projected a nearly 9% increase in international arrivals for the U.S. this year, has revised its forecast to predict a 9.4% decline. The company anticipates significant decreases in visitors from Canada, which was the leading source of visitors to the U.S. in 2024, accounting for over 20.2 million travelers, according to U.S. government data.
Airline data supports this trend, revealing a decrease in passengers arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas from Canada. Air Canada reported a 33% decrease in passenger numbers in June compared to the previous year, while WestJet experienced a 31% drop. Flair, a low-cost carrier, reported an even more substantial decline of 62%.
Travel agents in Canada have noted a significant reduction in clients seeking to visit the U.S., particularly Las Vegas. Wendy Hart, a travel agent from Windsor, Ontario, attributed the decline to “politics, for sure,” suggesting a sense of “national pride” in avoiding the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s remarks about potentially making Canada the 51st state.
“The tariffs are a big thing too. They seem to be contributing to the rising cost of everything,” Hart added, pointing to economic factors influencing travel decisions.
At Circa Resort and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, owner and CEO Derek Stevens acknowledged a decrease in international visits, especially from Canada and Japan. However, he attributed this partly to a post-COVID surge and noted that while hotel room bookings are down, gaming revenue, particularly from sports betting, remains strong.
“It’s not as if the sky is falling,” Stevens assured. He indicated that wealthier visitors continue to frequent the casino and that Circa has introduced more affordable package deals to attract budget-conscious tourists.
“There have been many stories written about how the ‘end is near’ in Vegas,” Stevens said. “But Vegas continues to reinvent itself as a destination worth visiting.”
On AAA’s annual list of top Labor Day destinations, Las Vegas has fallen to the last spot, down from No. 6 in 2024. Seattle and Orlando, Florida, remain the top two destinations, while New York City has climbed to third place for 2025.
Despite reports of declining tourism, some visitors, like Alison Ferry from Donegal, Ireland, have found Las Vegas to be crowded and bustling.
“It’s very busy. It has been busy everywhere that we’ve gone. And really, really hot,” Ferry said, adding that she does not closely follow U.S. politics.
Away from the Strip, the Pinball Museum has not experienced a slowdown. Manager Jim Arnold explained that the museum, which features pinball machines from the 1930s to the present day, remains popular due to its free parking and admission.
“We’ve decided that our plan is just to ignore inflation and pretend it doesn’t exist,” Arnold said. “So you still take a quarter out of your pocket and put it in a game, and you don’t pay a resort fee or a cancelation fee or any of that jazz.”
However, Arnold acknowledged that rising prices at high-end restaurants and resorts could be contributing to a decline in overall tourism by “squeezing out the low-end tourist.”
Mayor Berkley echoed this sentiment, stating that the increasing cost of food, hotel rooms, and attractions deters potential visitors.
“People are feeling that they’re getting nickeled and dimed, and they’re not getting value for their dollar,” Berkley said. She urged business owners to explore ways to make Las Vegas more affordable for tourists.
“And that’s all we want. We want them to come and have good time, spend their money, go home,” the mayor concluded. “Then come back in six months.”