The glittering lights of Las Vegas continue to draw millions of visitors each year, but recent data suggests the city is now facing a downturn in one of its most reliable international markets — Canadian tourists. The decline is being linked to trade tensions and tariff disputes between the United States and Canada, creating ripples in an industry that has long depended on cross-border travel.

Story Highlights

• Canadian tourist numbers fall as U.S.-Canada tariff tensions rise

• Flights from Canada to Las Vegas cut by more than 18% year-over-year

• LVCVA CEO Steve Hill pledges trade mission and Toronto event sponsorship

• Online travel agents projected to add 1 million hotel room nights this summer

• Overall Las Vegas visitor numbers slump 7% compared to last year

Before the pandemic, international visitors made up around 20% of all Las Vegas arrivals, with Canada consistently leading that group. However, new figures from Harry Reid International Airport show that inbound seats on flights from Canada have dropped by more than 18% compared with last year, signaling a sharp decline in Canadian travelers.

For some, the allure of Las Vegas remains strong despite the trade friction. Julia Chasson, a Canadian tourist who traveled to the city in March, explained her perspective.

“I love coming to the states,” she said. “Obviously there’s a lot of fun stuff to do that we don’t get to do in Canada.”

Chasson noted that, despite the tariff dispute, she and her companion chose to keep their plans to see the Grateful Dead. Their decision reflects both the pull of Las Vegas’s unique entertainment scene and the challenges of discouraging loyal visitors.

City leaders, however, are well aware of the broader impact. Steve Hill, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), acknowledged the difficulties created by what he called “national overtones.”

“That’s a long-term relationship,” Hill said, referring to Canadian tourists. “And we’re going to figure that out.”

In an effort to maintain that relationship, Hill announced plans for a trade mission to Canada. The LVCVA will also sponsor an event in Toronto as part of a strategy to reconnect with Canadian travelers and travel agencies.

At the same time, Las Vegas is leaning more heavily on digital promotion. Partnerships with online travel agents are expected to generate about one million room nights through the summer, providing a boost at a time of reduced international travel.

Hill has also pointed to Las Vegas’s enduring appeal, highlighting its value and expansive entertainment calendar.

“We’ve got a great entertainment lineup through the summer and into the fall,” he said, stressing that visitors continue to have reasons to return to the city.

Despite a 7% year-to-year slump in total visitor numbers, Hill remains cautiously optimistic.

“We’ve had crises, and we have recovered from crises, and this is just not that,” he explained. “It is a downturn.”

City officials are betting on a rebound as conventions, major sporting events, and high-profile entertainment draw near in the months ahead. For Hill, the expectation is that as cooler weather arrives, so too will Canadian visitors — a reminder of the long-standing relationship between Las Vegas and its northern neighbors.

While the tariff dispute has clearly impacted Canadian travel patterns, Las Vegas officials are confident that the city’s blend of entertainment, hospitality, and value will help restore momentum. The decline marks a temporary setback rather than a long-term shift, industry leaders argue. As trade talks evolve and the city prepares for a packed calendar of conventions and events, Las Vegas is betting that its strong appeal will once again draw Canadian visitors back to the Strip.

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