Let's Take a Day Trip

LAS VEGAS — I recently spent a few weekdays in Las Vegas, Nevada, while attending a work conference. During the downtime between sessions, I took the opportunity to explore the iconic Las Vegas Strip, a place known for its vibrant energy and bustling crowds.

There has been a significant amount of discussion on social media about Las Vegas being “dead.” Let me clarify: Sin City isn’t “dead,” but it does feel markedly different compared to my previous visits when I would stay for over a week to cover the NBA Summer League—this was all before the COVID-19 pandemic altered travel patterns.

To put this in context, CBS News reported that Las Vegas saw a 12% decrease in visitors compared to the same time last year, with approximately 3.1 million people visiting. I can personally attest to this decline; the Strip felt much emptier than during my past visits, as there were fewer cars on the road and I could walk freely without the usual crowds pressing around me. At my hotel, Planet Hollywood, it was easy to find a gaming machine if gambling was on my agenda. Unlike in the past, when it was often a challenge to secure a spot at a popular table, there seemed to be no shortage of options.

To better understand this decline in tourism, I engaged in conversations with a few taxi drivers during my journey around the city. They consistently mentioned that Canadians, who have traditionally been a significant source of visitors to Las Vegas, are no longer making the trip to the United States. Several international travelers are also opting to skip Las Vegas altogether, primarily due to visa complications and ongoing traffic issues at border crossings. Additionally, the taxi drivers pointed out that the current state of the economy is causing domestic travelers to be more cautious about their spending. Many people are holding onto their money as uncertainty looms about future financial stability.

These observations align with discussions I’ve seen in a subreddit dedicated to travel in Canada, where many posters express a sense of pride in avoiding travel to the United States. I completely understand their perspective—why would anyone want to visit a country that seems to be trying to “buy” their nation and make their entire country a state? This sentiment reflects a broader feeling that could be influencing travel decisions, both internationally and domestically.

Despite this, I wouldn’t say Las Vegas is dead, but like everything else, it has changed. I hope to come back sooner rather than later.