Canada stays home: Las Vegas loses a quarter-million Canadian tourists in 2025 – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Las Vegas – The neon glow of the Strip dimmed slightly for Canadian travelers last year. New estimates from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority revealed a 17.4 percent drop in visitors from Canada, totaling 252,400 fewer arrivals compared to 2024.[1][2] This marked the steepest decline among major markets and contributed to broader challenges for the city’s tourism industry, which saw overall visitation fall 7.5 percent to 38.5 million.[1]
A Steep Drop in the Largest International Market
Canadian arrivals totaled 1,196,300 in 2025, down sharply from 1,448,700 the previous year.[1][3] Canada remained the top source of international visitors, accounting for about 25 percent of the 4.73 million foreign travelers to Las Vegas.[4] The loss represented a significant blow, given that pre-pandemic figures often exceeded 1.4 million annually.
International visitation overall declined 4.8 percent to 4,726,500, the second-highest since 2019 but still well below peak levels.[1] Hotel occupancy averaged 80.3 percent, down 3.3 percentage points, while revenue per available room fell 8.8 percent to $147.30.[1] Convention attendance held steady at around 6 million, providing some stability amid the leisure slowdown.
Reasons Point to Politics, Economy, and Value Concerns
Several factors aligned to deter Canadian travelers. The return of President Donald Trump to office in January 2025 brought tariff disputes and comments about Canada that coincided with reduced U.S. travel from the north.[1][4] A weakened Canadian dollar made Las Vegas trips more expensive, exacerbating macro-economic pressures.
Broader complaints about high costs surfaced, including a viral incident of a $26 bottled water charge.[1] The collapse of budget carrier Spirit Airlines further limited affordable access. Scottish casino consultant Oliver Lovat attributed much of the dip to economics rather than solely politics: “The Canadian dollar is down, so it makes Las Vegas more expensive.”[3]
Mixed Results Across Global Markets
While Canada faltered, Mexico proved resilient with a 1 percent increase to 1,187,400 visitors, also claiming 25 percent of international totals.[1][2] European core markets weakened: the United Kingdom fell 1.4 percent to 521,700, Germany dropped 3.3 percent to 176,400, and France declined 7.4 percent.[4]
Asia-Pacific offered bright spots. Japan surged 10.5 percent to 126,000, Australia rose 4.2 percent to 275,500, and South Korea gained 3 percent to 158,200.[1] Kevin Bagger, vice president of the LVCVA Research Center, noted: “Core markets in Europe including the U.K., Germany and France saw year-over-year declines while Asia-Pacific countries of Australia, South Korea and Japan saw year-over-year increases.”[4]
- Top gainers: Japan (+10.5%), Taiwan (+16.2%), Hong Kong (+16.1%)
- Steepest losers (after Canada): Netherlands (-13.6%), Denmark (-13.8%)
LVCVA Steps Up with Value-Driven Campaigns
The authority responded aggressively. In September 2025, it unveiled a $35 million “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” initiative emphasizing unbeatable value through ads, deals, and partnerships.[1] A “Fabulous Five-Day Sale” offered over 100 discounts on lodging, dining, and entertainment, with some resorts waiving fees.
Steve Hill, LVCVA president and CEO, emphasized adaptability: “Las Vegas operates at a scale that few destinations can match, and 2025 required us to remain nimble as conditions evolved.”[1] He added on hospitality efforts: “No matter what you spend, we need our customers to walk away feeling like, ‘That was worth it. That was great.’”
As Las Vegas eyes recovery, upcoming events like the World Cup could draw spillover crowds, even without hosting matches.[3] The city’s resilience shines through, but rebuilding trust with key markets like Canada will test its famed reinvention skills. Whether through policy shifts or sharper deals, the Strip aims to reignite the northern welcome.
