Las Vegas Grapples with Declining Visitor Volumes and Rising Costs

As of August 2025, Las Vegas is grappling with a significant slowdown in tourism. The city has seen a 11.3% drop in visitor volume in June 2025 compared to the previous year, with convention attendance and hotel occupancy also declining. The total number of visitors to Las Vegas is down 7.3% over the first half of 2025.

While gaming revenue is up, indicating that those who are visiting are still gambling, consumer spending at restaurants, bars, and retailers has declined by millions of dollars over the last 11 months. Some casinos have even had to lay off workers due to the slowdown.

Experts attribute this trend to a variety of factors, including the rocky state of the economy, tighter US immigration policies, and the absence of major events like March Madness and the Super Bowl that have traditionally drawn large crowds to the city. Additionally, Las Vegas has developed a reputation for being an expensive destination, with the costs of flights, hotel rooms, food, and even parking skyrocketing in recent years.

As a result, some visitors are opting to go to other destinations that offer similar experiences at a lower cost. The city is also facing competition from the proliferation of gambling options across the United States, which may be keeping some potential visitors closer to home.

Despite the current challenges, Las Vegas remains an attractive destination for many. The city's vibrant nightlife, world-class shows, and outdoor activities continue to draw visitors. However, the city may need to adapt to the changing landscape and find ways to offer a more affordable and accessible experience to regain its allure in the coming years.