Las Vegas Sees Drop In Tourism, w/ Inflation & Political Uncertainty Cited As Key Factors

Las Vegas Sees Drop In Tourism, w/ Inflation & Political Uncertainty Cited As Key Factors

Las Vegas is seeing a noticeable decline in tourism, and locals and officials are expressing their concerns.

According to recent data, the number of visitors to the city is down over 7% compared to this time last year. A housekeeper for the Aria Hotel, Shaleah Taylor, gave a first-hand account of the abnormal summer season, saying: “I drive down the strip going to work in the morning, and I barely see visitors out there… wow, it’s pretty empty in here.”

The slump comes after Vegas saw a big rebound in 2021 post-COVID-19 lockdown, with visitor numbers hitting over 41 million by 2024. But this year, the slowdown has many worried.

 

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Culinary Union leader Ted Pappageorge blamed the decline on what he called a “Trump slump,” pointing to anti-immigration rhetoric and policies that may be discouraging international travelers, especially from neighboring Canada.

An economist added that rising inflation, high interest rates, and global political tensions are also keeping tourists away. Harry Reid International Airport backed that up, reporting a 10% dip in international passengers in June, and a 4% overall decrease in combined domestic and international traffic.

Are you surprised to hear about the decline of tourism in Vegas? What do you think is contributing most to the drop?

[VIA]