Las Vegas Sees SHARP 11% Drop in Tourism Amid Rising Costs
URGENT UPDATE: Las Vegas is facing a significant tourism crisis as new data reveals an alarming 11% drop in visitors for June 2025 compared to the previous year. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority confirms that international arrivals plummeted by 13%, with hotel occupancy rates falling by 15%. This downturn has sparked heated debates among residents and industry experts about the reasons behind the decline.
Recent polls conducted by Las Vegas Locally show that a staggering 88% of 15,500 respondents believe the city’s high prices are driving tourists away. A follow-up poll found that 68% of 14,250 voters identified rising costs as the primary factor behind the drop in tourism. Visitors are voicing concerns over exorbitant fees, from parking and resort charges to $26 bottles of water, leaving many feeling priced out of experiencing Las Vegas.
In addition to financial burdens, political factors are also being scrutinized. Nearly 25% of poll participants attribute the decline to President Donald Trump’s new policies and tariffs affecting key markets such as Canada, which has seen a shocking 65% decrease in visitors year-over-year. This drop is particularly concerning given that Canadian tourists contributed an estimated $3.6 billion to the Southern Nevada economy in 2024.
Mayor Shelley Berkley characterized the decline as a transition from a “flood to a drip,” noting similar patterns among visitors from Mexico. “High rollers from Mexico aren’t as eager to visit right now,” Berkley explained, highlighting a growing international sentiment against traveling to Las Vegas.
Ted Pappageorge, head of the Culinary Workers Union, echoed these concerns, labeling the phenomenon as the “Trump slump.” He warns that if the U.S. continues to send a message that certain travelers are unwelcome, it will further deter visitors, particularly from Southern California, a major source of Latino tourism.
While high prices and tariffs dominate the conversation, not all respondents are convinced they tell the full story. Less than 8% of participants cited economic uncertainty as a reason for the downturn, and 2% admitted they were unsure of the causes. Comments from the polls have suggested other theories, including a nationwide decline in alcohol consumption and extreme summer heat that has plagued the region in recent years.
The implications of this visitor decline are profound for Las Vegas, a city that relies heavily on tourism. With the industry still recovering from the pandemic, this double-digit drop in visitor traffic represents a critical concern for local businesses and the economy.
As Las Vegas grapples with these challenges, attention turns to how officials will address these issues moving forward. The urgent need for solutions has never been more apparent as stakeholders seek to rejuvenate the city’s allure for travelers. Stay tuned for further developments on this pressing situation as Las Vegas fights to restore its position as a premier tourist destination.
