KLAS: Las Vegas tourism suffering, new reports show

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by: Greg Haas

Posted: Apr 29, 2025 / 01:50 PM PDT

Updated: Apr 29, 2025 / 01:58 PM PDT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas tourism report released on Tuesday suggests people are hunkering down, saving money on travel.

In March, visitation to Las Vegas tumbled by 7.8%, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). An estimated 3.39 million people visited, but hotel occupancy was down 2.4% for the month. Overall, hotel rooms were 82.9% full in March, compared to 85.3% in March 2024.

More than a half-million people — 533,900 — attended conventions, but midweek hotel occupancy was down 2.5% compared to March 2024. On weekends, occupancy was down 1%.

Another statistic reported by the Clark County Department of Aviation showed a 3.9% decline in the number of arriving/departing passengers at Harry Reid International Airport. Estimated vehicle counts at the Nevada-California border on I-15 show a drop of 3.1% in traffic, according to the LVCVA.

Las Vegas Strip casinos won 4.8% less in March than they did in March 2024, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Statewide, the casino win dropped by 1.1%.

A Bloomberg report earlier this month indicated a decline in international travel could cost the U.S. economy about $90 billion. That’s a “worst-case scenario” put together by Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

The report cited a backlash from travelers who were upset over U.S. tariffs against Canada and some European countries.

But even as visitor numbers plunged, hotel rooms on the Strip were still above levels a year ago. The average daily rate for a room on the Strip was $196.16 in March, 3.9% higher than it was a year ago at $188.75. For downtown Las Vegas, rooms were 68 cents cheaper than a year ago: $100.31 compared to $100.97.

The gaming report showed downtown had a good month in March, but hotel occupancy was only 70% compared to 85.8% on the Strip.