Published on: March 28, 2026, 09:36h.

Updated on: March 28, 2026, 09:36h.

• Continued double-digit drops in February for Canadian airline arrivals in Las Vegas
• Statistics indicate Canadians are opting for more domestic and international travel
• Is the downturn in Canadian travel to Las Vegas finally at a standstill, and how many are permanently shifting away?

Data regarding Canadian travel to Las Vegas for February reflects the ongoing decline observed over the past year. Significant reductions were noted with two key airlines: WestJet reported a 27.3% drop, and Air Canada saw a 22.7% decline, according to the recent passenger report from Harry Reid International Airport.

Significant Drops in Arrivals at Las Vegas Airport

Additionally, two regional airlines experienced dramatic declines: Porter Airlines saw a staggering 34.7% dip and Flair Airlines witnessed an even steeper 65.2% fall compared to February 2025.

A recent survey by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) highlights that Canadians remain enthusiastic about travel; however, increasing expenses, a weakened dollar, geopolitical uncertainties, and changing perceptions of the U.S. are reshaping their travel choices. Some Canadians have actively boycotted American travel and goods following past “51^st state” remarks by former President Donald Trump and the rise in trade tariffs.

The national Liberal party leveraged the “Elbows Up” sentiment against Trump into a near-majority election win at the beginning of 2025. This animosity runs deep and has significantly influenced the travel and shopping habits of many Canadians.

Travel-Related Anxiety

This brings up a critical inquiry: How many Canadians are permanently distancing themselves from visits to Las Vegas, developing alternative travel behaviors, or substantially reducing their trips?

“That’s an excellent inquiry. From the Canadian viewpoint, I don’t anticipate substantial changes unless the U.S. administration’s rhetoric evolves and the longstanding friendship between our countries is reaffirmed,” stated Christopher Whyte, a travel advisor at Freestone Travel near Toronto.

“There’s considerable anxiety among Canadian travelers (justified or not) regarding ICE operations in the U.S. Canada is a culturally diverse nation, and there are numerous reports, including one from Texas, where legal Canadian travelers have faced detention by ICE. This has created notable apprehension among Canadian travelers, diminishing their willingness to cross the border.”

Possible Recovery in Canadian Tourism?

According to the CAA survey conducted in 2025, only 22% of Canadians planned to visit the U.S., marking an 11% decrease from the previous year. Rather, many choose to explore destinations within Canada (40%) or international locations.

“International travel remains sluggish,” remarked Kyle Owusu, Senior Credit Analyst at Octus, following the Q4 2025 data release. “Passenger numbers decreased 19.2% year-over-year in January due to drops from Canada (WestJet: -27.9%, Air Canada: -34.2%) and Mexico (Volaris: -11.9%, Aeromexico: -34%).

Anticipation for an uplift exists during the summer as the World Cup is expected to help. Both domestic and international visitations are likely to rise by at least mid-single digits year-over-year in June and July, considering the visitor volumes in 2025 declined over 10% in those months.

The Potential for Growth

Octus specializes in credit intelligence with insights into various sectors, including the gambling industry, analyzing credit market reports.

The Las Vegas tourism sector seeks to counteract the downturn. The prevailing lower Canadian dollar continues to make travel to Las Vegas pricier. Recently, Circa Resort and Casino, D Las Vegas, and Golden Gate Resort introduced a promotion accepting Canadian dollars at par. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has pledged $6 million over five years to enhance marketing efforts aimed to bring more Canadians back to Las Vegas. Historically, Canadians represented the largest fraction of international tourists; however, recent figures from 2025 indicate a decline of about 20-24% in that demographic.

Nadia Matos, a CAA spokesperson, emphasized that their travel consultants do not perceive this as a lasting trend away from Las Vegas.

Evolution of Travel Preferences

“Travel trends often cycle, and Canadians remain eager to discover,” she said. “Nearly 80% have traveled outside their province in recent years and plan to do so again. What changes is the destinations they feel comfortable visiting at any given moment.

“It’s less about permanently excluding a particular place and more about being cautious and thoughtful,” she added. “Travelers are evaluating value, comfort, and peace of mind, and for many, this translates into pausing visits to certain locations for now.”

Furthermore, Matos indicated that travel teams from CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba have not witnessed a significant rise in Canadians traveling to Las Vegas. While Las Vegas remains proactive in promoting tourism towards Canadian visitors, including initiatives like the one at Circa, these actions have not sparked notable interest from their clientele.

Prioritizing Substance Over Sensation

“As conditions evolve—be it through political shifts, currency rates, or overall feasibility—destinations like Las Vegas could very well see a resurgence in interest,” Matos conveyed, highlighting that their agents are poised to assist travelers in making informed choices amid uncertainty through risk management tools such as insurance and cancellation policies, rather than succumbing to “hype.”

“Canadians tend to be pragmatic travelers; as the value proposition improves and confidence strengthens, demand usually follows.”

A Call for Enhanced Marketing Strategies

Ultimately, Whyte suggested that discussions surrounding Canadian travel to Las Vegas must consider various factors beyond anti-Trump sentiment, including affordability, accommodation quality, and entertainment options.

“Recent discussions have hinted that Las Vegas may have lost its way in defining its primary market,” said Whyte. “Is it catering to families, luxury travelers, or the traditional market of mid-tier American and Canadian visitors seeking an escape? I believe Las Vegas faces branding and focus challenges, and addressing these would clarify their future direction.”