Published on: February 1, 2026, 01:41h.
Updated on: February 1, 2026, 01:41h.
- Could Trump be the reason for Las Vegas’ tourism struggles in 2025?
- Two Democratic lawmakers from Nevada think the answer is “yes”
The year 2025 was not favorable for the tourism sector in Las Vegas. Although gaming performance on the Strip and across Clark County remained stable compared to 2024, overall visitor numbers plummeted in Southern Nevada.
Various factors contributed to the decline in Las Vegas tourism in 2025.
Some critics attribute the downturn to insatiable casinos, which continually hike resort fees, as well as rising costs for food, beverages, and entertainment. Additionally, tighter odds on gaming floors have led to a perception that Las Vegas no longer offers good value.
Others believe that Americans have cut back on leisure expenditures due to persistent inflation and a challenging job market. There are also claims that President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement actions and his proposals regarding Canada have adversely affected visitor numbers.
For Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Dina Titus (D-NV), they firmly place the blame on the president.
Trump Accused of Contributing to Las Vegas Issues
Cortez Masto and Titus assert that the president is the primary reason for the 7.5% drop in Las Vegas visitor numbers in 2025.
“Every tourist who opted not to visit the United States equates to lost wages and revenue for our workers, along with diminished earnings for local businesses. Donald Trump’s disorganized and insensitive policies are to blame. He should be rectifying this situation, but instead, he seems more preoccupied with his own interests,” Cortez Masto expressed on X.
Titus concurs.
“2025 marked a significant downturn, with a 7.5% fall in visitation to Las Vegas. The president is detrimental to our tourism industry, discouraging international travelers while escalating costs domestically,” Titus posted on X.
Senator Jacky Rosen (R), along with Democratic Representatives Susie Lee and Steven Horsford from Clark County, did not comment on the tourist statistics.
Decline in Visitors
According to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, 3.12 million fewer visitors graced Las Vegas last year. Hotel rates in Las Vegas decreased by 5% to $183.87, while prices for Strip casino rooms fell by 4.7% to $206.58.
MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle is optimistic about a visitor recovery in 2026. He acknowledged that the largest resort operator on the Strip “lost control of the narrative” but noted that they are now more attuned to pricing strategies.
During a recent Vegas Chamber discussion titled “Preview Las Vegas 2026,” Hornbuckle remarked that media portrayals suggesting a bleak outlook for Las Vegas are drastically erroneous.
“I’ve seen headlines claiming ‘Las Vegas is finished.’ That’s just not true,” Hornbuckle stated.
Patrick Nichols, CEO of The Venetian Resort, shared last week that the prevailing narrative was not entirely unjustified.
“Bad news spreads rapidly. People have been discussing on social media issues around resort fees, parking charges, and overpriced hotel amenities. Our industry was slow to respond to many of these concerns, allowing them to gain momentum,” Nichols explained.