Las Vegas tourist numbers decline amid an overall drop in US inbound tourism

According to data published by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the number of tourists visiting the city in March fell by 7.8% compared with February. While Las Vegas welcomed 3.68 million people in the last winter month, in March the figure was only 3.39 million.

Average hotel occupancy also declined: on weekdays it fell by 2.4 points, to 82.9% versus 85.3% a year earlier. Despite this, the situation was more stable on weekends, with a decline of only 1 point. Notably, despite falling demand, the average cost of a hotel stay on the famous "Strip" rose 3.9% compared with March of the previous year.

Against this backdrop, the city's casinos reported an almost 5% drop in revenue compared with the same period last year. Air travel also declined: according to the Clark County Department of Aviation, the number of takeoffs and landings at Harry Reid International Airport fell by 3.9%. A drop in road traffic was also recorded on the key I-15 highway at the Nevada–California border — down 3.1%, according to the LVCVA.

The Independent links this to the "Trump Slump" effect — the idea that tourists from Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world are cutting back on trips to the US amid rejection of policies associated with Donald Trump. Consumer confidence in the market is also being undermined by trade conflicts and the tariff policy of the previous administration.

In addition, according to The Guardian, some tourists fear problems when crossing the border, even when they have all the required documents. Incidents involving foreign nationals have already prompted warnings from authorities in a number of European countries and China about a potentially unfriendly reception in the US.

According to the US International Trade Administration, the number of tourists from Western Europe fell 17% in March compared with the previous year. In some countries, such as Germany and Ireland, the decline reached 25%. Against this backdrop, analysts at Tourism Economics have revised their forecasts for inbound tourism to the US this year: a 12% decline is now expected, instead of the previously forecast 9% growth.