Las Vegas Visitor Decline Signals Potential Economic Slowdown

Las Vegas tourism metrics are flashing warning signs for the broader U.S. economy. June visitor numbers plummeted 11% year-over-year, compounding a 7.3% decline across the first half of 2025. This trajectory suggests the steepest annual drop since record-keeping began in 1970—surpassing even Great Recession levels.

Hotel metrics tell a parallel story. Room rates and revenue per available room both softened in June, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Analysts cite a trifecta of pressures: weakened consumer confidence, reduced international travel, and generational shifts in entertainment preferences.

The desert oasis serves as a leading indicator for discretionary spending. When wallets tighten, Vegas feels it first. Conference attendance—the lifeblood of midweek hotel occupancy—has notably dwindled amid corporate budget cuts.