In March, Southern Nevada saw a notable 7.8 percent drop in visitation compared to the previous year, marking one of the largest year-over-year declines since the pandemic. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported 3.4 million visitors for the month, with uncertainty surrounding the impact of federal government policies on international and domestic travel.
Kevin Bagger of the LVCVA noted that both February and March experienced significant drops, with February’s 11.9 percent decline partly due to comparisons with February 2024, when the Super Bowl was held in Las Vegas. Despite these declines, convention attendance in March rose by 10.2 percent, and the average daily room rate increased to $183.86. However, hotel occupancy fell slightly, and passenger traffic at Harry Reid International Airport decreased by 3.9 percent, though highway traffic into Las Vegas rose by 1.8 percent.
Concerns have been raised over potential impacts from U.S. tariff policies and remarks about annexing Canada, possibly influencing travel decisions. Passenger numbers on Canadian airlines to Las Vegas dropped in March, with notable declines from WestJet, Flair, and Air Canada, although Porter Airlines saw a significant increase.
For the first quarter of 2025, visitor volume decreased by 6.9 percent, convention attendance fell slightly, and the average daily room rate dropped by 8.1 percent. Hotel occupancy also saw a minor decline.
In the gaming sector, Nevada casinos faced challenges in maintaining last year’s record gaming win levels. The state reported a 1.1 percent decline in gaming revenue, with Clark County down 1.8 percent and the Strip down 4.8 percent. However, downtown Las Vegas and the Boulder Strip experienced double-digit growth in gaming revenue. Downtown’s slot machine revenue increased significantly, while the Boulder Strip saw growth in slot play. Reno also reported a strong 10.9 percent increase in gaming revenue.
Analyst Carlo Santarelli attributed some of the Strip’s results to an unfavorable calendar shift and a shortfall in baccarat revenue. Despite these challenges, certain areas showed resilience, with increased slot and table game volumes.
