I am currently in Las Vegas; and I found out that Las Vegas had fewer visitors in 2025 than in 2024 — but what are the reasons as to why?
Why Las Vegas Had Fewer Visitors in 2025
According to statistics from this executive summary that was recently released from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 38,545,700 people visited the city in 2025 — which is 3,130,600 fewer people than the 41,676,300 visitors in 2024, which represents a reduction of 7.5 percent and the most significant decrease of visitors since 1970, when records tracking these metrics first started. Reports on other years are available as well.
A number of reasons have been attributed to the reduction of visitors to Las Vegas — including but not limited to:
- Fewer people visiting from Canada and other foreign countries
- The result of tariffs that were placed into effect over the past year
- Travelers planning their itineraries more cautiously
- Unease with the political climate in the United States
Perhaps the main reason might be the usurious prices that are charged on goods and services in Las Vegas. For example — as was the case last year when I was in Las Vegas — simply opening the minibar could cost $50.00 in the room in which I am staying at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas…
…and if I did want something from the minibar, nothing costs less than ten dollars. I could take a short walk to a store and get myself several of these still overpriced items for ten dollars.
Even worse is if a guest has leftover food or a beverage, he or she will be charged a service fee of $25.00 for using the minibar to store personal items. A refrigerator can be provided upon request — although no indication is given as to what exactly will be the extra charge that will be added to the final bill.
We went to a restaurant last night where I had Mediterranean Sea Bass as an entrée — but it cost $59.00 before tax and gratuity were added to the final bill. The fish was very good — but that is still rather pricey.
Even table games in casinos require a higher minimum amount of money to bet these days. Finding a blackjack table with a minimum bet of two dollars has become virtually impossible.
Many other examples come to mind just from this current visit to Las Vegas — let alone from the many other times that I have been here.
Final Boarding Call
Much of Las Vegas Boulevard — which is more popularly known as the Las Vegas Strip — is simply overpriced and underwhelming, which can be fatiguing for many people. Casinos are not only found in many more places around the world than 20 years ago; but one can gamble on a portable electronic device from the comfort of his or her own home without having to breathe in cigarette smoke and perfume.
Although some points of interest are still unique to Las Vegas, I would argue that it does not have the same allure and luster that it once had. People who have become more conscious of price are significantly more hesitant to pay ten dollars to purchase one liter of water in a bottle.
Las Vegas can offer more value to its visitors while still raking in the big bucks. A better balance needs to be struck. Maybe parking vehicles should be free of charge once again but up the ante on some games in the casino? Perhaps lower prices at restaurants and minibars in hotel rooms but charge more for shows and entertainment? Maybe decrease or eliminate mandatory resort fees altogether…
…but something needs to change — unless Las Vegas wants to continue losing visitors in 2026…
All photographs ©2026 by Brian Cohen.
