Las Vegas is facing a significant drop in Canadian visitors, attributed to a variety of factors including the political climate in the United States and a depreciating Canadian dollar. According to the recent tourism indicators released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, there was a 5.2 percent decrease in visitors in November 2025, with 3.1 million visitors compared to 3.4 million in November 2024.

From January to November 2025, total visits were down by 7.4 percent, falling to 35.46 million from 38.27 million in the same timeframe the previous year. Officials from the tourism authority noted that while 2026 holds the promise of increased visitor numbers due to major events like the 2026 World Cup and the Las Vegas Grand Prix, challenges remain, many stemming from policies implemented by President Donald Trump and his administration.

The report emphasized that Canada is a crucial source of international visitors for Las Vegas, noting that 1.4 million Canadians visited in 2024, constituting about 3.3 percent of the city’s total visitation of 41.7 million. A hypothetical 20 percent drop in Canadian visitation in 2025 would result in 280,000 fewer visitors to Las Vegas.

Factors contributing to this decrease include cautious consumer sentiment and new federal policies like the visa integrity fee and expanded social media screening for visa-waiver travelers, which add costs and complications for international visitors. As reported, Canadian airlines also faced substantial drops in passenger volume in October 2025, with WestJet carrying 59,260 passengers—a decline of 33.2 percent from 88,711 in October 2024. Similarly, Air Canada saw a 26.3 percent reduction, carrying 45,056 passengers compared to 61,147 the previous year.

Adding to the concerns, the Canadian dollar's weak performance against the U.S. dollar is influencing travel decisions. The Bank of Canada reported that $1 in Canada equates to $0.725 in the U.S., further discouraging Canadian travelers from visiting Las Vegas. To counteract this downturn, Derek Stevens, the owner of several hotels in Las Vegas, announced a promotion allowing Canadian guests to pay in Canadian dollars at par with U.S. dollars. This offer is aimed at attracting visitors concerned about exchange rates.

Stevens pointed out the various reasons for the decline in Canadian tourism, including exchange rates, flight availability, and political tensions. He expressed sympathy for the impact these issues have on business in both countries. The promotion, which runs until the end of August, allows guests who book a room to pay the same rate in Canadian dollars as they would in U.S. dollars. Furthermore, visitors at specific hotel bars can also enjoy parity, and guests can exchange up to CAD$500 for USD$500 in gaming vouchers.

Shelley Parry, general manager of TierOne Travel Inc. in Calgary, noted that the promotion could attract clients affected by the currency situation; however, she emphasized that political climate and increased border security remain the primary deterrents for Canadian travelers, contributing to a year-over-year decline of 40 percent in U.S. travel by Canadians.

Stephen Miller, an economics professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, highlighted that while Canadian tourism isn’t a massive part of Las Vegas’ overall visitor volume, it is significant for international numbers. He mentioned that there is a decline across various visitor categories, raising concerns among local industry leaders. However, he reassured that higher-income individuals continue to visit and spend in Las Vegas, marking a shift where overall visitor numbers may be decreasing while spending per visitor is on the rise.

Miller concluded that Las Vegas is attracting visitors with higher spending potential, which may serve to mitigate some of the economic impact of declining tourism from Canada.