Steady Air Traffic to Las Vegas from the East Coast and Overseas in 2024; Concerns Persist for 2025 travel demand
Las Vegas, a haven for entertainment and gambling, has seen some shifts in air travel patterns in 2024. Buck Wargo, our trusted travel companion, shares some insightful findings.
Feeder Markets on the Rise
Air travel to Las Vegas from the East Coast has been on a roll, with New York and Pennsylvania leading the charge. New York, in particular, saw an impressive 8.3% increase in travelers, moving up the ranks to the 7th spot among top feeder markets. speaking of which, the perennial No. 1, California, maintained its position despite a slight 0.9% dip in Los Angeles-bound travelers.
International Visitors Flock In
Canada continued its dominance as the main provider of international travelers, making up 51.6% of the international passengers, a 7.8% increase over 2023. Mexico also saw a healthy 16.1% year-over-year growth, with more and more visitors heading to the Vegas Strip.
Breakdown of Top 10 States
California led the pack with 4.48 million air travelers, followed closely by Texas and Florida. Washington state saw a 2.2% decline, but Illinois managed a 1.5% increase, defying the broader trend.
The Long Haul to Improvement
Josh Swissman, a casino consultant, attributes the gain on the East Coast to the recovery of tourism post-pandemic and the revival of the convention business. He notes that the recovery tends to be a gradual process due to the longer development and booking cycles from the East Coast.
Top Cities and International Flights
New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago remained the top three feeder cities, followed by Dallas, Seattle, and Colorado. Toronto topped the list for direct international flights, with Vancouver a close second. Mexico City, London Heathrow, and other major cities completed the top 10.
Don't forget to check out our website for more travel tips and updates. Happy journeying!
[Insight: Data suggests a strong recovery in air travel demand post-pandemic, with leisure travel expected to grow at around 4% annually. However, specific growth rates of air travel to Las Vegas from key U.S. feeder states in 2024 versus 2019 are not detailed in the provided sources and would require data from aviation or tourism authorities.]
- The increasing popularity of Las Vegas as a destination for casino-and-gambling enthusiasts has led to a significant rise in air travel from the East Coast, particularly New York and Pennsylvania, with New York alone showing an 8.3% increase in travelers.
- Lifestyle choices involving casino-games and travel have contributed to the surge in international visitors to Las Vegas, as Canada continues its dominance, accounting for 51.6% of all international passengers and experiencing a 7.8% increase compared to the previous year.
- In the casino-culture of Las Vegas, Josh Swissman, a casino consultant, suggests that the recovery of tourism post-pandemic and the revival of the convention business on the East Coast have a significant impact on the growth in air travel from those regions, despite the prolonged nature of the recovery process.
