Vegas Rolls Dice to Woo Absent Canadian Tourists

LAS VEGAS — Once a sure-thing with Canadians, the self-styled Entertainment Capital of the World is hustling for their return after visitor numbers from north of the border cratered this year.

Canadian boycott leaves a measurable dent

Oxford Economics estimates overall U.S. inbound travel slid 8.2 percent during the first half of 2025. Within that total, Canadian visits to the United States fell 25.2 percent year to date, Tourism Economics reported Aug. 22. Las Vegas is feeling the chill more than most: Canada supplied roughly 1.4 million visitors in 2024, equal to 3 percent of the city’s record 41.7 million total arrivals, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). The impact has widened since January. LVCVA figures show just under 3.1 million travelers touched down in June, an 11 percent slide from the same month a year ago—the steepest drop outside the pandemic years. Air bookings mirror that story: passenger totals on Canadian carriers to Harry Reid International Airport shrank 18 percent in July.

Where the decline is sharpest

If the slump reaches 20 percent for the full year, LVCVA analysts warn Las Vegas could lose roughly 280,000 visitors—fewer than 1 percent of all arrivals, but enough to pinch hotel occupancy, gaming revenue and retail spending.

An economic hole measured in billions

University of Nevada economist Stephen Miller calculated that Canadians injected about $3.6 billion into Southern Nevada in 2024 and supported 43,000 local jobs. The state’s July 2025 unemployment rate stands at 5.4 percent, second-highest in the nation, intensifying pressure on tourism leaders to act.

Sales mission targets Vancouver travelers

Looking for a turnaround, LVCVA President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Hill led a late-August sales mission to Vancouver, British Columbia. The delegation included resort executives and airline partners hoping to rekindle Canada’s affection for Sin City. “A portion of our friends in Canada are not happy with us right now,” Hill said at a media briefing in Vancouver. “We want them to come back, but we understand they may not be ready to do that.” — as Hill told reporters.

New flight-and-stay packages

To sweeten the pot, the tourism authority is working with Air Canada and WestJet on bundled offers that combine round-trip fares with hotel discounts on the Strip. Caesars Entertainment has already placed a marker: a US$300 “Las Vegas Getaway Package” grants a two-night stay at Harrah’s, The LINQ or Flamingo plus a US$200 food-and-beverage credit, taxes and resort fees included. Additional incentives, still under wraps, were previewed to Canadian travel media. Sphere Entertainment executives, for example, teased upcoming shows at the venue’s massive LED domed arena and hinted at tie-in promotions.

Will lower room rates change the narrative?

Complaints about pricing have swirled on social media, yet LVCVA data suggests Strip hotels averaged US$164 a night in July—US$9 cheaper than in July 2023. Downtown rooms slipped the same amount compared with two years earlier. For context, the average daily rate across 2023 was US$203.42; July 2025 rates inched up only to US$203.78 despite inflation.

Political overtures north of the border

Diplomacy has entered the mix, too. Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto visited Ottawa in July, meeting with Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney to discuss “de-escalation” of cross-border tensions. City Hall has chimed in as well. “We need you, and we miss you,” Mayor Shelley Berkley said during a recent council meeting, addressing Canadians directly — Berkley said at City Hall.

Why Canadians are staying away

The boycott of U.S. vacations traces back to political rhetoric: former President Donald Trump’s quip about Canada as “the 51st state” irritated many Canadians, according to travel analysts. More concretely, border wait times, a strong U.S. dollar and Las Vegas resort fees add to the friction for price-sensitive visitors.

Competing offers closer to home

In Western Canada, newly expanded resort casinos in British Columbia and Alberta have given gamblers domestic alternatives. Meanwhile, carriers such as Flair and Lynx are touting ultra-low-cost hops to Mexican beach destinations, sometimes undercutting Las Vegas fares.

What travelers should expect this fall

• Seasonal airfare deals: Watch for round-trip promotional fares from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montréal paired with two- or three-night hotel stays.
• Shrinking resort fees? Strip executives are quietly debating reductions or bundling them into package rates.
• Showroom revival: concert residencies and the Sphere’s immersive productions are being spotlighted as unique draws Canadians cannot replicate at home.
• Quieter casino floors: with overall visitation down, travelers may find shorter restaurant waits and more favorable hotel upgrade opportunities.

Tips for Travelers

1. Compare packages: Bundled flight-hotel offers via Air Canada Vacations or WestJet Vacations may be cheaper than booking separately, especially when food credits are included.
2. Mind the exchange rate: A strong U.S. dollar can add 35 percent or more to trip costs for Canadians; lock in prepaid rates where possible.
3. Check resort-fee policies: Some properties waive fees for elite loyalty members or during mid-week stays.
4. Look beyond the Strip: Downtown hotels and off-Strip resorts frequently post double-digit discounts.
5. Plan for fall events: The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix returns in November, pushing rates higher; book early if attending or avoid the dates entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Las Vegas safe for Canadian travelers right now? Yes. No special advisories are in place beyond standard U.S. entry requirements, though visitors should monitor exchange rates and insurance coverage. 
Are there direct flights from Canada? Nonstops operate from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montréal. Delta and other U.S. carriers have also announced new Las Vegas routes beginning in 2026. 
Will the deals last? LVCVA officials say incentives will remain at least through winter 2025, but availability may tighten if demand rebounds quickly.

The odds of a rebound

Hill acknowledged Las Vegas may not fully regain Canadian volume until after 2025, yet he voiced optimism about long-term prospects. “We’re excited about what we’re hearing,” he said after meeting with resort CEOs, hinting at “partnerships that will be rolling out here in the near future.” — Hill said in Vancouver. For now, travelers willing to cross the border may find unusually light crowds and competitive prices in a city accustomed to full houses. The dice, as ever, are in motion; Canadians just need to decide when to roll them.