Las Vegas tourism industry continues to decline

By Liam Hibbert
The Center Square

Nevada’s tourism numbers took a hit throughout most of 2025, dropping nearly 7.4% from 2024.

Data from the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority report showed more than 35.4 million people visited Las Vegas for the first 11 months of 2025. It comes after the state had experienced several years of booming rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic slump.

“Las Vegas is often a reflection of the broader U.S. economy,” LVCVA wrote to The Center Square. “Because we operate at high volume across every consumer segment, shifts in spending and behavior tend to surface here first.”

The LVCVA released its year-end tourism report from January through November 2025, showing what has been apparent throughout the year – Las Vegas’ tourism numbers have cooled off from their post-pandemic bump.

Las Vegas saw its biggest year for tourism in 2019 at 42.5 million visitors, immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic. But travel limitations cut Las Vegas annual visitors by more than half in 2020, to 19 million.

The following year was the city’s biggest rebound, a near 69.5% increase to 32.2 million in 2021. The boom continued through 2022 (38.8 million), 2023 (40.8 million) and 2024 (41.7 million).

Barring a December that more than doubles the 2025 monthly visitor average of 3.2 million, 2025 will have strayed from a trend that saw Las Vegas nearly return to its pre-pandemic high in four years. Assuming the year’s monthly average, Las Vegas will have welcomed 38.6 million visitors in 2025.

The tourism drop-off impacted hotel revenue, as average daily room rates fell 5% from 2024 to 2025. Similarly, the average revenue per available room fell by 8.5%.

The LVCVA highlighted the steep decline in international travel to the city as a core issue for the decline in visitors. While totals for the year are yet to be reported, the LVCVA estimated a 24% drop in the city’s biggest international tourism group, Canadians. 2024 saw 1.4 million Canadians visit Las Vegas, as per the LVCVA. This comes after U.S. president Donald Trump threatened to make Canada a U.S. state.

The LVCVA also noted the $250 entrance Visa Integrity Fee that Trump introduced in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to international travelers from some countries. The entrance fee has not yet been applied, but would include visitors from countries such as Mexico, Brazil and India.

“Las Vegas welcomes more than 5 million international visitors annually, and the $250 Visa Integrity Fee sends a message that those visitors aren’t welcome,” wrote the LVCVA.

The LVCVA did not mention the steady rise of online gambling, which was the center focus of the gambling industry’s 2025 G2E conference in Las Vegas. The online gambling world is expected to nearly double in market size between 2024 and 2030, as per Grand View Research.

“In 2026, there is a great deal to be encouraged by, including a strong trade-show calendar and major events such as WrestleMania 42, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and America 250, along with rising global interest tied to the 2026 World Cup that should lift international travel to the U.S. and benefit Las Vegas as a marquee stop,” wrote the LVCVA. “At the same time, we are realistic about the headwinds we face, including cautious consumer sentiment and new federal policies such as the Visa Integrity Fee and expanded social media screening for Visa Waiver travelers, which could add cost and friction for international visitors. But overall, Las Vegas is well-positioned for a stronger 2026.”

The Center Square reached out to the LVCVA for additional comments, but a representative was not available for an interview.