According to the latest figures released Friday morning by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the city welcomed approximately 3.1 million visitors, which marks a 12% decrease compared to the same period last year. This also represents yet another consecutive month of significant year-over-year declines in tourism for Las Vegas.
The Numbers Show Las Vegas Sees Many Fewer Visitors Now
Hotel performance in July showed notable declines across key metrics. Overall occupancy fell to 76.1%, down 7.6 percentage points from the previous year, while the average daily room rate (ADR) dropped 3.4% to $155. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) declined 12.1% year-over-year to $118.
Despite the decrease in visitor numbers, the convention sector saw a 10.7% year-over-year increase, according to the LVCVA. This uptick was partly due to a scheduling shift for the World Market Center’s summer show, which drew 38,000 attendees. This year, the event was fully counted in July, whereas last year it spanned both July and August, with attendance reflected in August 2024’s figures.
Weekend occupancy slipped to 88.8% from 93.2%, and midweek occupancy dropped to 70.9% from 79.9%. On the Strip, occupancy was 79.5%, down from 86.5%, while downtown occupancy fell to 63%, compared to 67.8% last year. The average daily rate on the Strip was $164.57, down from $170.38, and downtown’s ADR declined to $87.69 from $90.77.
Officials Remain Optimistic About Las Vegas Visitor Numbers
One of the main reasons for this decline in visitors, according to some experts, is Las Vegas’s higher prices. According to a recent survey, 90% of people think Las Vegas is too expensive for tourists. However, LVCVA CEO Steve Hill has denied this, claiming that while the city is seeing a slower summer, this is a temporary trend that is not an indicator for the future.
Addressing the notion that Las Vegas is pricing itself out of the market as a reason for the decline in visitation, Hill said that narrative is inaccurate. He stated that the perception of Las Vegas being overpriced is incorrect, emphasizing that the city still offers strong value and that local stakeholders are actively working to communicate that message. Hill added that Las Vegas remains a highly competitive destination, with industry players collaborating to attract visitors and then competing for their business once they arrive.
It should also be noted that Canadian visitors have also plummeted in numbers this summer. Canadians have always been the biggest group of international visitors that Las Vegas has hosted, so a change in that number is bound to be felt by hotels and casinos. Despite that, Hill argues that Las Vegas is still a very competitive tourist destination and that businesses are working together to attract more visitors.
Many hotels, casinos, resorts, and restaurants have said they expect a bounce back in visitation for the fourth quarter and 2026. Numerous business groups and trade shows are scheduled for the fall, and according to Hill, the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, followed just days later by the Raiders facing the Chargers on Monday Night Football, will make for a standout weekend in Las Vegas.