Las Vegas is experiencing a dimming of its usual vibrancy as tourism numbers decline, leading to growing financial pressure on casino employees. Visitor counts dropped by 7.5% last year, reaching 38.5 million—the lowest in recent years outside of the pandemic.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority attributes the downturn to economic uncertainty affecting traveler behavior and a notable decrease in international visitors. Canadian tourists, in particular, have reduced trips to the U.S., partly in response to trade tensions during the Trump administration.
The authority described the past year as “one of the more complex operating environments the destination has navigated outside of the pandemic period,” highlighting the challenges faced by the tourism-dependent economy.
“The casinos are empty,” said Brian Torres Sauzo, a food runner at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, reflecting the sentiment of many service workers who rely on steady foot traffic for income. With fewer guests, shifts are being cut, and job security is weakening across the hospitality sector.
The dip in tourism not only affects frontline staff but also ripples through related industries such as transportation, retail, and entertainment. Analysts warn that without a rebound in visitor numbers, the economic strain on workers could deepen, especially in a city where tourism forms the backbone of employment.
Efforts to attract new markets and revitalize interest are underway, but recovery may depend on broader economic conditions and global travel trends. For now, many in the service industry remain concerned about their livelihoods as the city’s famed energy begins to wane.
— news from CDC Gaming
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With tourism down, Las Vegas casino workers face economic hardship
The neon glow of Las Vegas has lost some of its shine. The number of visitors to the world-famous city fell by 7.5% last year, to 38.5 million. n nThe Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority blames the downturn on travelers’ caution about the economy and a drop in foreign tourists. Canadian travelers, for instance, have retaliated against President Trump’s trade war by cancelling trips to the U.S. n nLast year was “one of the more complex operating environments the destination has navigated outside of the pandemic period,” the authority said. n n“The casinos are empty,” said Brian Torres Sauzo, a food runner at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.