LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Tourism officials cited economic uncertainty Friday as a new report showed Las Vegas visitors have dropped by 6.5% compared to May 2024 levels.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported an estimated 3.4 million visitors in May. That follows April’s report of a 5.1% decline.
Economic indicators in Southern Nevada have shown a drop in tourism, and the decline has been blamed on consumer worries about higher prices and uncertainty surrounding the economy since President Donald Trump took office. There has also been a dramatic drop in tourism from Canada.
LVCVA’s report cited “headwinds of ongoing economic uncertainty.”
On Friday, Nevada casinos posted gaming wins that didn’t measure up to levels from last May, down 2.1% statewide and 3.9% on the Las Vegas Strip. Travelers at Reid International Airport have declined 3.9% compared to May 2024, according to a Thursday report.
LVCVA’s tourism report showed hotels are making 5.7% less money per available hotel room, and room nights occupied are down by 5.5%. Overall, hotel occupancy (83.0%) is down 3.1% compared to last May. On the Strip, occupancy is 85.3%, while downtown hotels are at 74.8%.
The average daily rate for a hotel room in Las Vegas was $198.20 in May. On the Strip, rooms averaged $212.46, and downtown, they were much cheaper at $109.39.
Despite the apparent struggle to fill rooms, rates were only 2.2% lower than they were last May.
LVCVA reported one bright spot an increase in convention attendance, which brought 511,200 visitors in May. That’s 10.7% higher than May 2024 levels. Conventions boost midweek hotel occupancy, which hit 79.3% in May.
