Decline in California Tourists in Las Vegas: The figures reveal a decreasing number of Californian visitors in Sin City
Las Vegas, known for its vibrant tourism industry, is facing challenges in the summer of 2025. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, visits to the city were down by 11.3% in June compared to the previous year, with roughly 3.1 million visitors[1][2].
This decline in tourism is reflected in various aspects of the city's hospitality sector. Hotel occupancy dropped about 6.5 percentage points to 78.7%, while the average daily room rate fell about 6.6% to approximately $164[1][2].
One of the key segments of Las Vegas tourists, Californians, have seen a significant decrease in their travel to the city. Traffic crossing from California into Nevada dropped by about 4.3%, and air travel from California also declined, contributing substantially to the overall tourism slump[3][4].
For international travelers, the data shows a troubling slowdown as well. Las Vegas relies on international visitors for about 12% of its tourism, but some international markets are experiencing drops ranging from 10% to as much as 63%, severely impacting gaming revenue and the hospitality sector[5].
The reasons for this decline are multifaceted, including higher costs, consumer caution, extreme heat, fewer conventions, and competition from other destinations[1][2]. The slowdown in international travel, with some travelers choosing other destinations like Europe, has also contributed to the overall tourism slump[1][2].
Despite these challenges, Las Vegas has not completely given up its luck. Clark County, which includes Vegas, collected $1.16 billion in gambling revenue in June 2025, up 3.5% from the previous year[6].
| Aspect | Status in Summer 2025 | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Total Visitor Volume | Down 11.3% YoY to ~3.1 million in June | | Hotel Occupancy | Dropped about 6.5 percentage points to 78.7% | | Average Daily Room Rate | Fell about 6.6% to approximately $164 | | Visitors from California | Significant decline; Californians contribute ~30% of visitors, now reduced | | International Visitors | Declined sharply, with some markets down up to 63% |
The downturn has led to consequences like lower tipping and layoffs in the hotel and casino industries, signaling broader stresses on Las Vegas’s tourism-dependent economy in 2025[1][2][5]. Industry experts emphasize the need for innovation and adjustments to pricing and marketing strategies to regain these key visitor groups[4].
This data provides a comprehensive snapshot as of mid-2025, reflecting both demographic shifts and broader economic influences on Las Vegas tourism.
[1] Las Vegas Review-Journal. (2025, July 1). Las Vegas tourism in summer 2025 is experiencing a significant decline. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/las-vegas-tourism-in-summer-2025-is-experiencing-a-significant-decline-2537081/
[2] KSNV News 3 Las Vegas. (2025, June 30). Las Vegas tourism numbers tanking under the Trump slump, says Rep. Horsford. Retrieved from https://www.ksnv.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-tourism-numbers-tanking-under-the-trump-slump-says-rep-horsford/
[3] Las Vegas Sun. (2025, June 15). Tourism within the U.S. is only part of the picture, as experts predict a slump in international tourism to the U.S. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2025/jun/15/tourism-within-the-u-s-is-only-part-of-the-picture/
[4] KTNV.com. (2025, June 22). Fewer people, particularly Californians, are visiting, playing, and spending money in Las Vegas. Retrieved from https://www.ktnv.com/news/california-tourism-to-las-vegas-is-down-as-residents-cut-back-on-discretionary-travel
[5] CNBC. (2025, July 6). The U.S. is estimated to lose $12.5 billion in international travel spending in 2025, according to a report from the World Travel and Tourism Council. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/06/us-tourism-forecast-2025-international-travel-spending-to-drop-125-billion.html
[6] Las Vegas Review-Journal. (2025, July 1). Clark County collects $1.16 billion in gambling revenue in June 2025. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos/clark-county-collects-1-16-billion-in-gambling-revenue-in-june-2025-2537084/
- The decline in tourism to Las Vegas, a city renowned for entertainment and casino-and-gambling, is putting a strain on its economy in the summer of 2025.
- The decrease in the number of tourists resulted in a drop in hotel occupancy by about 6.5 percentage points, with the average daily room rate falling approximately 6.6%.
- One of the significant segments of tourists, Californians, showed a significant decrease in their travel to the city, causing traffic between the two states to drop by about 4.3%.
- International travelers have also seen a troubling slowdown, contributing to the overall tourism slump, as some international markets are experiencing drops ranging from 10% to as much as 63%.
- The reasons for this decline are diverse, including higher costs, consumer caution, extreme heat, fewer conventions, and competition from other destinations.
- The slowdown in international travel, with some travelers choosing other destinations like Europe, has exacerbated the overall tourism slump in Las Vegas.
- Despite the challenges, Las Vegas managed to collect $1.16 billion in gambling revenue in June 2025, up 3.5% from the previous year.
- The downturn has resulted in consequences like lower tipping and layoffs in the hotel and casino industries, signaling broader stresses on Las Vegas’s tourism-dependent economy in 2025.
- Industry experts emphasize the need for innovation and adjustments to pricing and marketing strategies to regain the key visitor groups, particularly Californians.
- The data provides a comprehensive snapshot as of mid-2025, reflecting both demographic shifts and broader economic influences on Las Vegas tourism.
- The decline in tourism is not only affecting politics and economics but also entertainment, as fewer visitors mean less revenue for movie theaters, music venues, and other entertainment industry businesses.
- Moreover, the decrease in tourism poses challenges for the education sector as UCLA, a significant educational institution in California, relies on out-of-state students for a portion of its revenue.
- Lastly, the impact of the decline in tourism extends to other aspects of lifestyle, as businesses in industries such as travel, health, and finance struggle to adapt to the changing economic landscape.