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Immigration crackdown causing ‘Trump slump’ in Las Vegas tourism, unions say
Yahoo! ^ | August 11, 2025 | Michael Sainato

Posted on 08/12/2025 7:49:32 AM PDT by Red Badger

The Trump administration’s immigration policies are affecting workers and driving, in part, a decline in tourism, including international tourists, to Las Vegas, according to workers and the largest labor union in the state of Nevada.

Visitors to Las Vegas overall dropped 11.3% in June 2025, compared to the same month last year. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, international visitors to one of the world’s largest tourist destinations dropped 13% in June.

“A lot of departments are having a lot of layoffs,” said ​​Norma Torres, a housekeeper for eight years at Mandalay Bay and a member of the Culinary Union, who has worked in the hospitality industry since she was 18 years old. “In the housekeeping department, the people on call are barely called into work.”

Canada is Nevada’s largest international market. Flair Airlines, a Canadian airline, reported a 55% drop in passengers compared to last year. Air Canada reported a 13.2% drop in passengers from May to June this year to Las Vegas, and one third lower compared to last year.

Trump administration officials have reportedly pushed for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents to arrest 3,000 people a day as part of their anti-immigration agenda. They have subsequently denied that those quotas exist. But they have continued to revoke immigration statuses, delayed action for childhood arrivals, and other humanitarian immigration programs.

“If you tell the rest of the world you’re not welcome, they are going to listen. Our members are telling us that they’re quite nervous, and that’s why they’re calling it a Trump slump,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary treasurer of Culinary Workers Union Local 226.

But the Ice raids, trade wars with trading partners and fears that rising tariffs will hit the finances of potential visitors are all having an impact...

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; History; Society
KEYWORDS: agitprop; aliens; demagogicparty; dnctalkingpoint; dnctalkingpoints; illegals; labor; lasvegas; lostwages; mediawingofthednc; michaelsainato; nevada; nevertrumping; nonsense; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; unions; yahoo
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To: struggle

America has become unaffordable.


41 posted on 08/12/2025 8:31:11 AM PDT by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: central_va

Inflation is outpacing wage growth


42 posted on 08/12/2025 8:32:03 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Red Badger

“Yeah, honey, let’s cancel our Vegas trip next month. They won’t have as many illegals there, lines will be shorter, there will be less traffic, and there won’t be as much human trafficking or drug trafficking. It’s just not worth it anymore.”


43 posted on 08/12/2025 8:33:24 AM PDT by Teacher317
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To: central_va

It’s not just America, it’s global. It’s the same story in Europe. Tourism went bonzo after the end of COVID, and now it’s returning back to normal.


44 posted on 08/12/2025 8:33:30 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Dutch Boy

The bad press on Las Vegas on what a poor entertainment value that it’s become will not be fixed by blaming Trump or illegal aliens.


45 posted on 08/12/2025 8:34:34 AM PDT by The Antiyuppie (When small men cast long shadows, it is near the end of the day)
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To: 1Old Pro

Everything is expensive in Vegas lol…. And I’ve never bothered to rent a car in Vegas. Its an experience and place was rockin. To each his own. Id go back for the right act.


46 posted on 08/12/2025 8:35:34 AM PDT by MrRelevant
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To: Red Badger

got it: Trump’s Fault...

here’s what grok claims:

Tourism in Las Vegas has been declining in 2025 due to a combination of economic, social, and geopolitical factors, as reported by multiple sources. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:

Economic Uncertainty and Inflation:

Persistent inflation and economic uncertainty have reduced consumer confidence, leading to decreased discretionary spending. Many Americans are tightening their budgets, opting for cheaper alternatives or staying closer to home rather than traveling to Las Vegas. For example, high prices for accommodations, food, and entertainment, such as a cheeseburger at Mon Ami Gabi on the Strip costing $30.95 (up from $16.95 four years ago), have deterred visitors.

High Costs and Perceived Price Gouging:

Las Vegas has faced criticism for rising resort fees, expensive hotel rooms, and increased prices for food, drinks, and entertainment. Social media posts on platforms like Reddit and X highlight frustration with costs, with some visitors noting that a trip to Las Vegas is now more expensive than destinations like Cancun or Europe. This perception of greed has pushed tourists toward regional casinos or other vacation spots.

Decline in International Visitors:

International tourism, particularly from Canada, has dropped significantly. Canada, a top international market for Las Vegas, saw a 55% drop in passengers on airlines like Flair and a 63% drop from AeroMexico in early 2025. Political factors, such as U.S. trade tariffs and controversial rhetoric from the Trump administration (e.g., talk of making Canada the 51st state), have discouraged Canadian travelers. A broader 19.6% drop in international passengers at Harry Reid International Airport in February 2025 reflects this trend, with the U.S. expected to lose $12.5 billion in international tourism spending this year.

Drop in Domestic Travel:

Domestic travel, which accounts for roughly 88% of Las Vegas visitors, has also declined. For instance, traffic on Interstate 15 at the California-Nevada border was down 4.3% in June 2025, with Southern California, a major source of visitors (30% in 2024), contributing significantly to the drop. Air travel to Harry Reid International Airport fell by 6.3% in June, with a 4% year-to-date decline in domestic passengers.

Post-Pandemic Recovery Challenges:

While Las Vegas saw a tourism surge in 2023 and 2024, peaking at 41.6 million visitors in 2024, the city has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels in terms of visitor volume and hotel occupancy. The 2025 decline, with a 7.3% year-to-date drop and an 11.3% decrease in June (from 3.49 million to 3.09 million visitors), reflects a cooling off from the post-COVID rebound. Hotel occupancy fell to 78.7% in June 2025 (down from 85.2% in 2024), and revenue per available room dropped 13.8%.

Geopolitical and Policy Impacts:

Some attribute part of the decline to the “Trump slump,” citing policies like tariffs and immigration rhetoric that have strained relations with key international markets like Canada and Mexico. Canadian visitors, in particular, have expressed reluctance to travel to the U.S. due to these tensions, with some canceling trips outright.

Changing Consumer Preferences:

Younger generations are reportedly less interested in traditional Las Vegas activities like gambling and partying, with some Reddit users noting they consume less alcohol and seek more affordable or diverse travel experiences. The rise of regional casinos in states like Pennsylvania, offering better gambling odds, has also reduced the need to travel to Las Vegas.

Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns:

Issues like the drying up of the Colorado River, which threatens water supply and tourism-related activities, have added to the negative perception of Las Vegas as a sustainable destination. Additionally, the decline in iconic attractions like all-you-can-eat buffets (down to eight as of March 2025) and perceived drops in service quality have disappointed visitors.

Despite these challenges, some bright spots exist. Gaming revenue in Clark County rose 3.5% to $1.16 billion in June 2025, and convention attendance, while down 10.7% in June, had been up 10.7% in May, suggesting resilience in certain sectors. Industry leaders remain optimistic, citing upcoming events like the SEMA Show, Formula 1, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup as potential boosts for future tourism. However, the combination of high costs, economic uncertainty, and reduced international and domestic travel has created a significant downturn in 2025.


47 posted on 08/12/2025 8:37:01 AM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: struggle

Unaffordable, unsafe and unfriendly....................


48 posted on 08/12/2025 8:39:02 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: The Antiyuppie
a poor entertainment value

Stevie Nicks and Kelly Clarkson both cancelled upcoming performances for different reasons, So 3rd rate acts are being replaced with 4th rate acts.

49 posted on 08/12/2025 8:39:48 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: 1Old Pro

Vegas used to have “has beens”, now they have “never weres”.


50 posted on 08/12/2025 8:40:29 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: bk1000
I have read elsewhere that younger people (the ones who spend $) have little interest in the antiquated Vegas schtick. The Rat-pack days are long gone. Sin City has run its course.

On top of that, the "whales" with the large wads of cash to waste, all prefer to go to Macau these days. It is MUCH more like the Vegas of old, where everything is possible, it isn't mandated to "family friendly" in every way, and the service and attention to detail for the high-rollers is still elite.


51 posted on 08/12/2025 8:40:45 AM PDT by Teacher317
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To: Red Badger

BS exactly! The Vegas slump belongs to Vegas, the casino’s high prices along with high city taxes have priced themselves out of business. Here in California at least the Indian casinos provide much better value and a much safer experience.


52 posted on 08/12/2025 8:40:57 AM PDT by Mastador1
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To: Teacher317

I suspect it’s not the choice of the big “whales”, the Asian gamblers that used to be the source of a lot of money for the Vegas casinos. Mom and Dad can’t replace the whales.


53 posted on 08/12/2025 8:41:51 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Mastador1

Same here. They are safe, affordable, clean and friendly..................


54 posted on 08/12/2025 8:41:56 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: dfwgator

oops should say that “[Macau] is now the choice of the big “whales”.”


55 posted on 08/12/2025 8:42:28 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Red Badger

Yes about the only thing that would be down in Las Vegas would be crime.


56 posted on 08/12/2025 8:43:18 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: dfwgator

+1


57 posted on 08/12/2025 8:43:59 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Teacher317

And the CCP is the “Mob” in Macau.


58 posted on 08/12/2025 8:44:00 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Vaduz

Trump cuts the national park service and...

National park attendance has shown substantial growth in recent years, reaching a record high of 331.9 million recreation visits in 2024, the highest level since tracking began in 1904. After a sharp decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits have steadily increased, showing steady growth since 2020, with 2024 being the latest milestone in this upward trend.


59 posted on 08/12/2025 8:47:20 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Red Badger

And?

Doesn’t gambling cause average people to lose a lot of money? Havent we heard it impacts those who cant afford to lose money the most? Like the people who buy all those lottery cards and lottery scratch offs all the time? Are we to cry the stacked odds casinos cant rake in more money?

Is this not perhaps a good thing from a different perspective?


60 posted on 08/12/2025 8:47:26 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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