Thanksgiving Tourism Surge Set to Give Las Vegas a Holiday Boost

Las Vegas is preparing for one of its busiest Thanksgivings in years, as the latest American Automobile Association (AAA) reports indicate that national travel will break previous records, with Nevada among the most popular destinations. According to the association’s holiday predictions, more Americans than ever will travel at least 50 miles during Thanksgiving, with an estimated 1.6 million more travelers than last year.

The Surge in Tourists Should Restore Vegas’ Momentum

AAA, the USA’s leading not-for-profit national member association, attributes the surge to the holiday’s increasingly entrenched role as a time for long-distance reunions. Stacey Barber, the organization’s vice president of travel, noted that Americans are generally not deterred by the large number of travelers or by making last-minute changes in their plans when holiday traditions are at stake.

Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones.

Stacey Barber, AAA vice president of travel

Las Vegas stands to benefit from that sentiment. AAA ranked Harry Reid International Airport as the ninth-busiest in the country for the upcoming travel window. Hotels on the Strip report that booking patterns are finally returning to pre-pandemic levels, with many venues preparing for peak occupancy from Wednesday through Saturday.

However, these promising figures come amidst a turbulent period for Vegas. The city has experienced a modest drop in visitor numbers over the last few months, particularly in traffic coming from midweek conventions. However, the F1 Grand Prix, followed by Thanksgiving, will help counterbalance that dip, though local analysts caution that overcrowding could test the region’s infrastructure.

Airports Are Ready to Accommodate the Surge in Traffic

Despite the optimistic projections, some uncertainty remains. Some feared that fallout from the federal government shutdown could slow down airport operations, leading to nationwide delays. Las Vegas businesses are watching the situation closely, as prolonged interruptions would have substantial implications for the tourism-reliant region. Airlines serving Reid Airport report that they are ready for the increase in holiday traffic, but warn that full flights leave little margin for error.

Travel experts advise passengers to take precautions, especially given the possibility of airport congestion. The safest way to avoid backups is to travel in the early morning hours. For those who can’t fly in the morning, it is highly recommended to have identification, boarding passes, and security documents ready well before reaching TSA checkpoints. 

Despite potential challenges, the mood in Vegas is mostly optimistic. Thanksgiving has long served as a reliable anchor for Las Vegas’s tourism calendar, and early signs suggest that this year’s holiday weekend might be better than expected. The influx of new customers will be a significant boon to resorts, restaurants, and small businesses alike, counteracting the previous slowdown and hopefully leading to enduring momentum for Vegas.