Las Vegas Fears Europe Travel Drop Over Greenland Tensions

While prediction markets are juggling with the odds of President Donald Trump seizing Greenland, Las Vegas tourism leaders are watching the latest geopolitical noise with a growing feeling of unease. 

Their concern is that rising tensions between the United States and Europe over the disputed territory could lead to drastic travel decisions, mirroring Canada’s pullback last year, leaving the city short of international visitors.

“Any Barrier to International Visitation Might Impact Las Vegas” 

The issue traces back to comments by President Trump, who recently said the US would gain “total access” to Greenland under a new NATO arrangement. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and the remarks landed poorly in parts of Europe.

Speaking to Fox Business on January 22, Trump said there would be “no end” and “no time limit” to US military access on the island, presenting it as a matter of national and international security. 

While the comments did not directly aim at tourism, Vegas officials worry they could shape how European travelers feel about visiting the US.

“Any barrier to international visitation, whether geopolitical tension, policy uncertainty, or added entry barriers, might impact Las Vegas,” Steve Hill, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

Hill added that global travelers are sensitive to whether a destination feels “welcome and seamless.”

Bad Timing

The timing is also as awkward and inappropriate as it could get, with Sin City counting on a new nonstop Air France route from Paris, set to launch in April, to help rebuild European traffic. 

Analysts believe the route could bring in fresh demand, but only if political frustration in Europe does not cool interest before the first flight even takes off.

Canada offers a clear warning sign. After Trump floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state last year, followed by tough tariff measures, Las Vegas felt the impact quickly. 

Canadian visitation dropped by 20%, while Canadian airline seat capacity fell by 30%. That translated to about 217,000 fewer seats, the lowest level since 2006.

Public sentiment has also shifted. According to a recent Abacus poll, 33% of Canadians now say they would think less of close friends or family members who choose to travel to the US.

At the same time, airport data shows the slowdown is already here. Harry Reid International Airport reported nearly a 10% year-over-year drop in domestic passengers in November, the tenth straight month of decline. August through October also posted noticeable drops.

Online, domestic travelers also continue to complain about rising costs on the Strip, from pricey drinks to inflated hotel extras, adding to the sense that Las Vegas no longer offers the value it once did.