Las Vegas tourism is down. Some blame Trump's tariffs and immigration crackdown

CTV News

a day ago

Reflected in a glass window, people walk across a pedestrian bridge along the Las Vegas Strip, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration's tariffs and immigration policies for the decline.
The city known for lavish shows, endless buffets and around-the-clock gambling welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists in June, an 11 per cent drop compared to the same time in 2024. There were 13 per cent fewer international travelers, and hotel occupancy fell by about 15 per cent, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Mayor Shelley Berkley said tourism from Canada — Nevada's largest international market — has dried up from a torrent 'to a drip.' Same with 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 told reporters earlier this month.
Ted Pappageorge, head of the powerful Culinary Workers Union, called it the 'Trump slump.' He said visits from Southern California, home to a large Latino population, were also drying up because people are afraid of the administration's immigration crackdown.
'If you if you tell the rest of the world they're not welcome, then they won't come,' Pappageorge said.
Canadian airline data shows fewer passengers from north of the border are arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Air Canada saw its passenger numbers fall by 33 per cent in June compared to the same time a year ago, while WestJet had a 31 per cent drop. The low-cost carrier Flair reported a whopping 62 per cent decline.
Travel agents in Canada said there's been a significant downturn in clients wanting to visit the U.S. overall, and Las Vegas in particular. Wendy Hart, who books trips from Windsor, Ontario, said the reason was 'politics, for sure.' She speculated that it was a point of 'national pride' that people were staying away from the U.S. after U.S. President Donald Trump said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state.
'The tariffs are a big thing too. They seem to be contributing to the rising cost of everything,' Hart said.
At downtown's Circa Resort and Casino, international visits have dipped, especially from Canada and Japan, according to owner and CEO Derek Stevens. But the downturn comes after a post-COVID spike, Stevens said. And while hotel room bookings are slack, gaming numbers, especially for sports betting, are still strong, he said.
'It's not as if the sky is falling,' he said. Wealthier visitors are still coming, he said, and Circa has introduced cheaper package deals to lure those with less money to spend.
'There have been many stories written about how the 'end is near' in Vegas,' he said. 'But Vegas continues to reinvent itself as a destination worth visiting.'
On AAA's annual top ten list of top Labor Day destinations, Las Vegas slipped this year to the last spot, from number six in 2024. Seattle and Orlando, Florida — home to Disneyworld — hold steady in the top two spots, with New York City moving up to third for 2025.
Reports of declining tourism were news to Alison Ferry, who arrived from Donegal, Ireland, to find big crowds at casinos and the Vegas Strip.
'It's very busy. It has been busy everywhere that we've gone. And really, really hot,' Ferry said. She added that she doesn't pay much attention to U.S. politics.
Just off the strip, there's been no slowdown at the Pinball Museum, which showcases games from the 1930s through today. Manager Jim Arnold said the two-decade-old attraction is recession-proof because it's one of the few places to offer free parking and free 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.'
But Arnold said he's not surprised that overall tourism might be slowing because of skyrocketing prices at high-end restaurants and resorts, which 'squeezes out the low end tourist.'
The mayor said the rising cost of food, hotel rooms and attractions also keeps visitors away.
'People are feeling that they're getting nickeled and dimed, and they're not getting value for their dollar,' Berkley said. She called on business owners to 'see if we can't make it 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 said. 'Then come back in six months.'
Ty Oneil And Christopher Weber, The Associated Press