Las Vegas Workers Blame 7.5% Visitor Drop on Tariffs as Trump Touts Tax Cuts
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 5
Las Vegas Workers Blame 7.5% Visitor Drop on Tariffs as Trump Touts Tax Cuts
1 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 5
Summary
3.1 million fewer visitors came to Las Vegas last year, a 7.5% decline — the steepest non-pandemic drop since 1970 — leaving hospitality workers with fewer shifts, lower occupancy and shrinking tips.
Workers and local Democrats tie the slump to Trump-era tariffs, higher gas prices linked to the Iran war and rising living costs; Nevada's unemployment rate was still 5.1% in June.
Canadian travel has been a particular weak spot: visits to Las Vegas fell 17.4% in 2025 after Trump floated making Canada the 51st state and imposed tariffs, prompting hotels to offer promotions.
Trump is visiting Las Vegas to promote tax cuts including a tip deduction of up to $25,000, but workers and union leaders say the benefit is delayed until tax filing and does little if tip income is already down.
The downturn is spilling into Nevada's governor's race, with Democrat Aaron Ford casting it as a Lombardo-Trump affordability failure while Republicans point to 1.9% workforce growth as evidence the economy is improving.