Posted on 08/06/2025 10:13:41 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
The decline in tourism numbers is causing significant concern for Nevada's economy, with impacts reaching beyond the hospitality industry.
Jimmy Singh, who runs Las Vegas Souvenirs and Gifts, said his business is suffering due to a combination of factors, including the F-1 street closures and tariffs on imported merchandise. "I saw that also, for now, that tourism is less than last years. We see like a 30 to 40-percent drop," Singh said, noting a significant decrease in foot traffic and fewer international visitors.
Singh added that Canadian tourists, once a significant portion of his customer base, are notably absent. "Canada is more worst. Used to we have a lot of Canadians. Lot. Everywhere I see a Canadian. And now? No," he said.
Tourism is crucial to Nevada's economy, with a $98 billion impact, supporting over a quarter of all jobs, generating 22% of wages, and contributing 34% of tax dollars to the general fund, according to Applied Analysis and the Nevada Resort Association.
This results in a $3,000 reduction in the tax burden per household.
Alan Feldman, Director of Strategic Initiatives at UNLV's International Gaming Institute, said the decline in tourist-driven revenues from gaming and resorts has lawmakers hesitant to raise taxes, leading to potential cuts in public programs. "I think in Nevada, the more historic response has been cutting programs, reducing programs," Feldman said. "So it's not just politicians who are concerned. I'm confident there are teachers who are concerned. There are library staff who are concerned. There are hospital staff who are concerned."
The question remains whether this downturn is part of a cycle or a new normal. Singh expressed concern about changing perceptions of America among international tourists. "People think in a different way now. Used to say everybody love for America and now, a lot of them, they don't," he said.
Having 2 Democrat Senators and being most democrat didn’t help either. With the democrats pushing for people not to go on vacation to save the planet, it is not helping a state that requires tourism to survive.
Las Vegas’ biggest concerns is the drop off in traffic from southern California.
In prosperous times, I-15 used to be packed from Friday through Sunday night. Not only is it not packed on non-holiday weekends, but the hotels and casinos along the way have shut down or are on the verge of doing so.
I also think COVID made a lot of people realize that they really don’t need so much stuff.
I wonder if part of the problem in Vegas is that they are spending enormous sums of money to build facilities for the new NFL, MLB, and NBA teams. Bringing the grand prix auto race there also caused huge disruptions.
That’s why Las Vegas is now going all in on sports, it’s all about sports tourism now.
It also doesn’t help that every street corner is full of Mexicans giving out flyers.
That “family” era didn’t last a decade before they went back to adult.
Vegas is losing their monopoly on Gambling. It’s easier to do it on your phone rather than fly cross country, spend $500/night at Caesars, $200 for a steak dinner, $75 for lunch and $200-300 for a show or $500 for a sphere concert.
And if you can afford anything in the Forum shops you can probably afford to have the items flown in for a private showing.
This is true, but a lot of them come here to the US for other things also and they love to gamble. I play baccarat and many times I am the only non-Asian there.
Plus the high limit areas is full of them also.
When a city is built around "commerce" that is nothing more than gambling and entertainment, then any rational person should welcome its demise.
Yep, no more - even for hotel guests - I probably won't go again too many options.
Need to get Moe Green back in there.
He knew how to kick asses and make things run smooth.
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Bring back Benny Binion’s Horseshoe with its lo prices.
YES. And it's also merely closely tied to corporate spending than ever before.
I belong to an industry association that has a yearly convention. It used to be every-other year in Las Vegas.
Members complained about many things with the various hotels and general atmosphere, and the conference has since been permanently moved elsewhere.
You couldn’t pay me to go to Vegas, but none of the factors you mentioned can explain a 2025-specific decline in Las Vegas tourism.
I just got back from Iceland and am going to Brattleboro in about a week and I can report to you that businesses in Vermont are suffering as Canadian visits have withered.
I agree
without the Hoover dam this mob town should have never have been above ghost status. I can see without major water wins LV could be hollowed out aka like Detroit but not due to race wars but being on the losing end of a water war vs AZ and CA
Like Trump would say LV has no cards in this battle.
000 added to the roulette wheels and 6/5 blackjack odds not helping matters
I just returned from Bar Harbor and I can attest that it takes 15 minutes driving around the block to find a parking spot it is so crowded.
I guess if you really like desert or Tahoe there’s really not much to see in Nevada. So if you’ve had your fill of cat houses and gambling there are nice places to visit. Plus, it is enough to make any one puke having to land in “Harry Reid” airport.
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