LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Tourism in Las Vegas has slipped this summer, with officials and business leaders warning that tariffs and immigration crackdowns under President Donald Trump are discouraging international and regional visitors.

The city, famous for its shows, buffets, and casinos, hosted just under 3.1 million visitors in June, an 11 percent decline from a year earlier. International arrivals dropped 13 percent, and hotel occupancy rates fell by about 15 percent, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Mayor Shelley Berkley said travel from Canada and Mexico, Nevada’s top foreign markets, has fallen dramatically. “We have a number of very high rollers that come in from Mexico that aren’t so keen on coming in right now,” she said, adding that the same holds for Canadians.

Ted Pappageorge, head of the Culinary Workers Union, described the slump as the “Trump slump,” saying even day trips from Southern California — a significant source of Latino visitors — have dropped due to fears over immigration enforcement.

Airlines confirm fewer passengers. In June, Air Canada flights to Las Vegas carried 33 percent fewer passengers year-on-year, while WestJet fell 31 percent and low-cost carrier Flair was down 62 percent. Canadian travel agents report clients avoiding U.S. trips altogether, citing politics and tariffs. “It’s a point of national pride,” said Wendy Hart, a travel agent in Windsor, Ontario.

At Circa Resort and Casino downtown, owner Derek Stevens noted a decline in international business, especially from Canada and Japan. However, he stressed that sports betting and gaming revenues remain strong. “It’s not as if the sky is falling,” he said, pointing to new package deals designed to attract budget-conscious travelers.

Still, Las Vegas slipped to 10th place on AAA’s Labor Day travel list this year, down from sixth in 2024.

While some visitors describe bustling crowds on the Strip, smaller attractions tell a mixed story. The Pinball Museum, which offers free admission and parking, reports steady traffic. Manager Jim Arnold said rising resort costs are hurting value for many travelers. “It squeezes out the low-end tourist,” he said.

Mayor Berkley echoed that sentiment, warning that rising food, hotel, and entertainment prices discourage visitors. “People are feeling that they’re getting nickel-and-dimed, and they’re not getting value for their dollar,” she said. Berkley urged local businesses to focus on affordability: “We want them to come, have a good time, spend their money, go home — and then come back in six months.”