LAS VEGAS (AP) – Tourism in Las Vegas is experiencing a downturn this summer, with significant drops in visitor numbers compared to the previous year, particularly among international travelers. Some local officials attribute this decline to the Trump administration's tariffs and immigration policies that are affecting attitudes towards travel to the U.S. and Las Vegas specifically.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported that just under 3.1 million tourists visited in June 2025, marking an 11% decrease from June 2024. International visitor numbers fell by 13%, which contributed to a hotel occupancy decline of approximately 15%. Mayor Shelley Berkley remarked that tourism from Canada, the largest international market for Nevada, has diminished significantly, using the analogy that it has gone from a "torrent to a drip." Similar patterns have been observed with visitors from Mexico.
Ted Pappageorge, the head of the Culinary Workers Union, referred to the situation as the "Trump slump." He expressed concern that travel from Southern California, which has a large Latino population, is also dwindling due to fears of an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration. He stated, "If you tell the rest of the world they’re not welcome, then they won’t come."
Data from Canadian airlines reflects this trend, as Air Canada reported a 33% drop in passenger numbers arriving in Las Vegas, while WestJet experienced a decrease of 31%, and low-cost airline Flair reported a staggering 62% decline. Travel agents in Canada, such as Wendy Hart from Windsor, Ontario, have noted a marked decline in bookings to the U.S., particularly Las Vegas, attributing it partly to national sentiments following remarks made by former President Donald Trump regarding Canada.
In the wake of a post-COVID travel spike, the Circa Resort and Casino is also noticing reduced international visits, particularly from Canada and Japan. However, CEO Derek Stevens pointed out reliable revenues from gaming, especially sports betting, even as hotel bookings lag behind. Stevens remains optimistic, emphasizing that wealthier visitors continue to come, and the resort has introduced more affordable package deals to attract budget travelers.
Despite reports of declining tourism, some visitors have a contrasting experience. For example, Alison Ferry from Donegal, Ireland, noted that casinos and the Las Vegas Strip felt extremely crowded during her visit, suggesting that not all areas are equally affected by the downturn.
Meanwhile, attractions like the Pinball Museum report no visible effects from the tourism decline. Manager Jim Arnold mentioned that the facility has remained popular due to free parking and admission. He believes costs at higher-end restaurants and resorts are causing a squeeze on lower-end tourists, which is being felt throughout the city. Mayor Berkley echoed this sentiment, arguing that rising prices for food and accommodation are deterring potential visitors, and she called on business owners to find ways to make Vegas more affordable for tourists.
As the situation develops, Las Vegas faces challenges but continues to seek ways to entice travelers while adapting to changing market conditions and sentiments regarding U.S. policies.
