Published on: January 27, 2026, 02:32h.

Updated on: January 27, 2026, 02:32h.

• Las Vegas hotel and casino operators roll out an “At Par” exchange rate initiative to attract more Canadian visitors.
• Since early 2025, there has been a significant drop in Canadian tourists heading to Las Vegas.
• Can this promotion resolve the underlying issues faced by Canadian travelers in the U.S.?

Recently, downtown Las Vegas establishments like Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas, and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino announced an intriguing promotion aimed at addressing the currency exchange challenges faced by Canadian tourists (USD $100 converts to CAD $136 as of this morning).

This initiative runs until August 31 and allows eligible Canadian guests to enjoy an “At Par” value for select gaming, hotel, and beverage offerings. For every CAD $1 spent, they receive USD $1, irrespective of fluctuating exchange rates. For example, Canadians can claim up to CAD $500 in promotional slot play valued in full U.S. dollars.

Guests at Circa, the D, or Golden Gate will receive this exchange rate benefit at check-in. It also applies at several drinking establishments, such as BarCanada at the D Las Vegas, Overhang at Circa, and Bar Prohibition! at Golden Gate.

Will Canadians Respond Positively?

But will this promote actual interest? As hotel and casino venues in Las Vegas are aware, Canadian visitation has plummeted recently. Is the root cause merely the exchange rates?

“These hotels are attempting to handle the issue with surface-level incentives while it’s actually a deeper, non-transactional concern,” expressed Christopher Whyte, a Toronto-based travel consultant with Freestone Travel. “Costs represent just a fraction of the challenge.”

An active boycott by Canadians against U.S. travel and goods has emerged amid the ongoing political and trade tensions between the two nations.

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at imposing 100% tariffs on Canadian imports in response to a recent trade agreement announced by Canada with China, which involves bringing numerous Chinese-made electric vehicles to the Canadian market. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the retail landscape as “ruptured” and emphasized the necessity for middle powers to assert their economic autonomy from global superpowers during discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Impact of Trump

Trump’s tariff policies and rhetoric over the last year have unsettled many Canadians. He downplayed Canada’s sacrifices in the Afghan war (Canada experienced the loss of 159 soldiers) and claimed Canadians owe their safety to the U.S. These statements have compounded feelings among Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadian return visits to the U.S. dropped by 23.6% in November compared to the previous year, resulting in 7.6 million fewer Canadians making land trips to the U.S. in 2025—a fall of 30% versus 2024.

Recent polls reveal that a substantial minority of Canadians (33%) would hold a lower opinion of close friends or relatives who choose to travel to the U.S. Data from Harry Reid International Airport indicated a 33.2% year-on-year decrease in Canadians arriving via WestJet in October, with similar declines recorded for Air Canada (26.3%), Porter Airlines (22%), and Flair (71.4%).

Kudos to Derek Stevens, CEO and owner of the three hotel brands, who noted his childhood in Detroit, adjacent to Canada, and the connections he maintains there. He recalled Canadians previously journeying to Detroit casinos and receiving at-par promotions. Remarkably, he has not observed anything similar in Las Vegas during his 30-year career.

Canadian Boycott on Las Vegas Gambling

“I sensed a shift due to recent economic and political events, and this was an ideal moment to convey to Canada that we miss you,” he shared with CBC News. “We believed the ‘At Par’ offer would express our sincere invitation. The drop in Canadian visitors stems from both exchange rate challenges and the existing boycott. I can empathize with the reasons behind the sentiment. However, we genuinely desire to see you here. I believe that Canada and the U.S. can thrive together despite current tensions.”

Whyte pointed out an intriguing statistic: His agency’s principal industry partner—a significant North American travel organization—hosts an annual gathering in Las Vegas, attracting numerous travel advisors. Typically attending involves 20 to 30 from his agency, but this year, only five have signed up to participate. If travel agents sense a lack of interest among prospective travelers, why invest resources to attend?

Transactional Solutions Are Insufficient

“From my perspective, Canadians are refraining from traveling to the U.S. for two primary reasons: first, ongoing political concerns that threaten the stability of the U.S.’s largest trade partner; second, personal safety issues. There’s growing documentation here regarding ICE actions, and concerns surrounding border crossings persist (for those who do choose to travel). Canada prides itself on its diverse and multicultural society, prompting many Canadians to feel (rightly or wrongly) that their civil liberties and safety could be compromised if they venture south.”

“I firmly believe that these core challenges cannot be resolved through temporary incentives or discounts,” added Whyte.

A Flight Centre survey encompassing over 1,000 adult Canadians assessing their travel intentions for 2026 indicated that 62% expressed they are less likely to visit the U.S. in comparison with previous years, with the poll conducted in November.

No Sign of Increased Bookings Yet

Amra Durakovic, a Flight Centre representative in Toronto, commented that there hasn’t yet been any noticeable boost in Las Vegas bookings as a result of the promotion. Some customers are aware of it and have mentioned it, but it has yet to lead to increased demand.

“Part of the equation is practical,” she explained. “The hotels involved are situated on Fremont Street, while many Canadian visitors still prefer staying on the Strip. Our observations suggest that U.S. travel choices are more influenced by emotional factors such as comfort level, perceived hospitality, and the prevailing political climate, rather than being solely driven by temporary financial incentives.”