Additional Coverage:
Las Vegas Tourism Slows to a Drip, Says Mayor
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley addressed a concerning downturn in tourism during a press conference on August 7th. International visits, particularly from Canada and Mexico, have seen a significant drop in recent months.
“People are not coming to the United States,” Berkley stated, describing the flow of Canadian tourists as having dwindled “from a faucet to a drip.” She noted a similar decline in Mexican visitors, especially high rollers, who seem hesitant to travel to the US at present.
Economic uncertainty appears to be a major factor, with tourists wary of spending disposable income. Data supports this observation, showing a substantial decrease in Canadian visits to the US, particularly those arriving by car. Many point to the current political climate and trade policies as reasons for reconsidering travel plans.
Las Vegas isn’t alone in feeling the impact. Other cities near the Canadian border, like Rochester, New York, have also experienced a decline and launched campaigns to entice Canadian tourists back. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has also launched a new campaign, “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas,” to remind potential visitors of the city’s unique appeal and encourage them to escape their daily routines for a taste of excitement.
Mayor Berkley emphasized the city’s simple desire: for visitors to “come in, have a good time, spend their money, go home. And come back in six months.” This downturn comes amidst strained US-Canada relations, with past remarks from President Trump further complicating the situation.