Tourism agency battles against pessimistic outlooks as tourist visits in Las Vegas decrease by 12% in July

Las Vegas Faces Decrease in Visitation but Remains Competitive, Says LVCVA CEO

Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has reported a decrease in visitation for the month of July 2025, with a total of 3.1 million visitors, a decline of over 400,000 from the same month in 2024. However, Steve Hill, the LVCVA's CEO, maintains that this decrease is not cause for concern, and there are rooms available for various budgets.

According to the LVCVA's data, the average daily room rate in Las Vegas was $155 in July 2025, a decrease of 3.4% compared to the same month in 2024. Despite this decrease, Hill asserts that the narrative of Las Vegas being overpriced is inaccurate, and the city is still competitive in the market.

The decrease in visitation is not limited to July, as the United States, specifically Las Vegas, experienced a 12% decrease in visitation in July 2025 compared to July 2024. For the year, Las Vegas's total visitors are down to 22.6 million, a decline of 8% compared to the same period in 2024.

However, there is a silver lining. The convention segment saw a year-over-year increase of 10.7% for the month of July, despite the overall decrease in visitation. This increase could be attributed to the numerous events and conventions scheduled for the fall, such as SEMA (the aftermarket auto-parts show) and Formula One, which are expected to return to Las Vegas in November. The National Finals Rodeo in December is also expected to be a major draw for the city.

These events are anticipated to contribute to a potential increase in visitation, with resorts in Las Vegas expecting a bounce back in visitation for the fourth quarter and 2026. The Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford fight at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 13 and the Raiders playing the Chargers on Monday Night Football a few days later are anticipated to be major draws for the city.

To combat the idea that Las Vegas is overpriced, the LVCVA has been actively promoting the city through a summer campaign featuring social-media influencers and partnerships with travel companies like Expedia. Hill has also mentioned that the LVCVA has put a focus on entertainment in the summer and fall, with more announcements about boosting visitation to come in the next couple of weeks.

Shelley Newell, a senior economic analyst with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, expects entertainment calendars to pick up in the fourth quarter and 2026. Hill is also scheduled to hold a press conference to address the decreased visitation. The future efforts to increase visitor numbers in Las Vegas are primarily overseen by the LVCVA, which reports tourism data and influences related strategies; no specific announcement date for future initiatives has been detailed in the available information for 2025.

Tourism agency battles against pessimistic outlooks as tourist visits in Las Vegas decrease by 12% in July