Vegas Ain’t Hitting Like It Used To: Tourists Tap Out Over High Prices and “Trump’s America” Vibes

Las Vegas is struggling to bring the heat this summer—and it’s not just the weather that’s cooled down. The city built on bright lights and big bets is looking unusually quiet, with fewer tourists rolling in and even fewer sticking around.

Visitor arrivals dropped 11% this June compared to last year, while hotel occupancy took a 6.5% nosedive. Even Harry Reid International Airport saw nearly a 4% drop in traffic. And while some chalk it up to inflation and sky-high pricing, others are pointing to a larger mood shift in the country—some are even calling it a quiet rejection of “Trump’s America.”

Either way, the numbers don’t lie.

According to MarketWatch, regulars are walking away from the Strip saying what used to be fun just doesn’t hit the same anymore. Social media posts show quiet lobbies and empty casinos—scenes that feel more ghost town than getaway.

It’s not just bad for business—it’s hurting the locals. Hospitality workers, who make up a big chunk of Vegas’ population, say their tips have been cut in half. And that’s after a new no-tax tip law passed. With over 300,000 people depending on that industry to pay their bills, the slowdown is starting to look like a full-blown economic scare.

For a city that once promised dreams, thrill, and round-the-clock fun, Vegas is starting to feel like a high-stakes gamble that just isn’t paying off.