Las Vegas is bouncing back after a slow summer, and tourism chiefs say the next 15 months could bring a big turnaround for the city’s visitor economy. Talking to the NAIOP Southern Nevada development group on Thursday, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) CEO Steve Hill shot down talk that the city’s tourist appeal is dying, pointing to new data that shows a strong comeback is underway.
Las Vegas Visitor Numbers Rebound as Citywide Promotions Drive Engagement
Hill informed the audience that despite a slowdown in travel earlier this year, visitor numbers started to increase in August and kept getting better into September. Initial forecasts suggest that conventions, entertainment, and sports events will lead to consistent growth through 2026. He mentioned that even though total visitor figures are still down by almost 8% for the year, the overall pattern is now heading in a positive direction.
The comeback happens after worries for months that Las Vegas had gotten too pricey for regular visitors, an idea that led resorts to launch citywide deals like the Fabulous Five-Day Sale in late September. This promotion set up by the LVCVA and local resort partners, caused a rush of online activity and hotel reservations, with officials noting one of the highest engagement rates in years. Chief Marketing Officer Kate Wik said then that the event showed visitors still get excited about coming to Las Vegas when they see good deals.
Las Vegas Eyes Global Edge with AI Marketing and Signature Experiences
Hill noted that while the city’s product remains unbeaten, many potential visitors have tighter household budgets because of rising living costs. He said the LVCVA plans to keep showcasing affordability and unique experiences through future promotions and tech-driven marketing.
Using artificial intelligence will play a big role in that strategy. Hill shared that the LVCVA is putting money into AI systems to target audiences better and customize marketing efforts. He said the aim is to boost the city’s visibility worldwide and give Las Vegas an edge over other major destinations, reported CDC Gaming.
When asked about future Las Vegas Strip projects, Hill expressed caution. Apart from Bally’s plans for the Tropicana site and the ongoing change of the former Mirage into Hard Rock Las Vegas, he doubted new resort projects would happen soon.
Current high interest rates and complex real estate investment structures have made big construction projects too costly for now. Despite this, Las Vegas keeps drawing global attention through events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The LVCVA is sponsoring this event through 2027 after last year’s debut brought in $1 billion in economic activity.