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Las Vegas tourism slows as rising fees deter Southern California visitors

Free parking is gone, resort fees are climbing, and Southern Californians are staying home. Can Las Vegas reverse its tourism slump before new hotels open?

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2 min read
The image shows the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are many people walking...
The image shows the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are many people walking around, some of them carrying bags, and a fountain in the foreground. In the background, there are buildings with windows, light poles, and banners with text. The sky is visible in the background.

Las Vegas tourism slows as rising fees deter Southern California visitors

Las Vegas is facing a slowdown in visitor growth, despite a slight rise in numbers this year. Experts suggest higher resort fees and paid parking may be discouraging trips from Southern California. Meanwhile, the city prepares for thousands of new hotel rooms in the coming years. Visitor numbers in Las Vegas have grown by 0.5 percent so far in 2019, with expectations of a strong finish to the year. The overall annual increase is forecasted at 0.8 percent. However, growth is set to stall in 2020, with just a 0.3 percent rise, followed by a 0.4 percent drop in 2021.

Traffic data supports concerns about declining interest. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported a 1.1 percent decrease in vehicle crossings at the California-Nevada border over the first ten months of 2019. Dr. Stephen Miller, director of UNLVโ€™s Center for Business and Economic Research, believes rising costs are a key factor. He pointed to resort fees reaching up to $45 per night at luxury hotels and the loss of free parking at major Strip casinos.

Many properties, including those under MGM and Caesars, now charge for self-parking and valet services. These changes, according to Miller, are making trips less appealing for budget-conscious Southern Californians. His remarks came during an economic outlook presentation at the M Resort.

Despite the challenges, the cityโ€™s hotel capacity is set to expand. Around 12,000 new rooms will open across Las Vegas over the next five years. The cityโ€™s tourism growth is slowing, with near-flat projections for the next two years. Higher fees and parking costs appear to be reducing visits from a key market. Yet, with thousands of new rooms on the way, Las Vegas continues to prepare for future demand.

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