For many years, Las Vegas was seen asa place full of amazing deals, providing 99-cent shrimp cocktails, $10 steak meals, and performances that do not exceed the cost of a drink.
But those times are far behind us. Instead, consider $9 cups of coffee, $100-per-person buffet meals, and a movie ticket that could cost you a staggering $279.
It’s the prices like these that have some regulars in Vegas claiming the tourist destination and gambling hub has lost its charm.
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“Vegas isn’t enjoyable anymore,” said Amrita Bhasin, aretail-industry entrepreneurWho often visits for both work and leisure. Her main financial annoyance? The resort fees imposed by hotels, which she claims can increase the bill by up to $50 per day.
These types of complaints are emerging as Las Vegas experiences a significant decrease in visitor numbers. In June, hotel occupancy rates dropped by 14.6% compared to the previous year, according to CoStar, a worldwide source of real estate data, analysis, and news. They have declined by 12.3% for the current month up to July 19.
Among the city’s leading hotel and gaming companies are major corporations like Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International. Both firms have not provided any statements for this report.
Vegas tourism authorities do not dispute that the city is experiencing a lull, but they claim it mirrors broader declines in tourism across the country, especially as international visitors become hesitant to travel to the United States.
“Very little of the decrease is related to Las Vegas,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Hill highlighted a major drop in visitors from Canada as a key reason, as Canadians have historically been the city’s largest international visitor group.
Specifically, Hill mentioned that the number of Canadian tourists has dropped by approximately 20% in Las Vegas. This aligns with a larger U.S. trend, which showsa drop of almost 19%in visits from our northern neighbors.
David Cárdenas, a specialist in tourism and professor at the University of Nevada’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality in Las Vegas, noted that international visitors are avoiding Las Vegas and other U.S. locations due to various factors, including unfavorable currency exchange rates and worries about U.S. immigration policies during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Canadians have also been especially upset about Trump’s remarks regarding turning the country into the 51st U.S. state, as hasbeen widely reportedand that could be influencing their choice of not visiting the United States
Las Vegas is now considered to be too expensive.— Philip Knott, asset strategy consultant and hospitality professional
However, many travelers claim that Las Vegas has simply turned into an expensive destination. Hospitality experts familiar with the city state that the high costs are indeed a contributing factor to the decline in tourism.
Philip Knott, a specialist in asset strategy and a hospitality executive with experience in companies that operate and invest in Las Vegas, is among those who hold this perspective.
Las Vegas is now considered to be too costly,” he stated, highlighting factors such as high-end restaurants and additional fees at hotels. “All of these elements are affecting reservations.
Even without the additional fees, hotel prices have significantly risen over time. In 2015, the average daily rate in Las Vegas was $124.42, as reported by CoStar. By 2024, this had climbed to $209.54, marking an increase of almost 70%.
It’s not solely about the cost of accommodations, though. Travelers mention a range of factors that are affecting their finances.
Similar to that $9 coffee cup, which is the amount you’ll pay for a standard size drink.at Café Belle Madeleine, located at the Paris Las Vegas resort, a Caesars establishment. Or the $100 buffet, which is approximately what you’ll spend on the meal on a weekend, including tax,at the Bacchanal, situated at Caesars Palace.
What about that $279 movie ticket? In technical terms, that’s the cost of a VIP package for an event known as the Sphere Experience, which includes a screening of the Darren Aronofsky film “Postcard from Earth” along with some pre-show activities at the Sphere, the$2 billion Las Vegas entertainment complex that opened in 2023.
Even if you choose not to go for the VIP experience, a standard ticket begins at $89 for upcoming performances, according towhat’s listed on Ticketmaster. Officials from Sphere did not respond to a request for statement.
Certainly, budget-friendly travelers can still discover ways to cut costs on a trip to Las Vegas. Lisa Nicole Jackson, a Los Angeles native who goes to Vegas roughly three times annually, mentions that she consistently looks for discounts — and often locates them. For instance, she experienced the Sphere Experience at no cost through a hotel deal.
Nevertheless, Jackson acknowledges that there are still moments when she is reminded of how costly Las Vegas has become nowadays. Her main example: a $17 smoothie.
Jackson also mentioned that she dislikes the resort fees imposed by hotels, particularly when she believes the quality of service and facilities do not match the additional charge. She gave an example of hotel pools that shut down fairly early in the day — “like 6 p.m.,” she noted from a recent visit.
We have something available for every price range.— Steve Hill, president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Vegas tourism authorities mention that hotel discounts are easily available, especially during the summer, which is regarded as the low season in the area. Indeed, one major promotion currently being highlighted by certain hotels is eliminating those annoying resort charges.
We have something to suit every budget,” stated Hill from the city’s Convention and Visitors Authority. Regarding items such as that $9 cup of coffee, he mentioned, “You aren’t paying $9 for the coffee itself. You’re paying $9 for the atmosphere.
There’s a rationale behind the $9 coffee in Vegas, according to specialists, and the reason those $10 steak dinner offers from the past are mostly no longer available is because Vegas hotels don’t depend as much on income from gambling. These steak deals were typically used as loss leaders to attract customers into the establishment to gamble on the slots or play craps.
Now, Las Vegas focuses on its environment, featuring highly themed hotels—like Paris in Nevada—alongside dining options led by famous chefs and shows by top entertainers. In just the next week, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, and the Backstreet Boys will be performing, with continuous acts from artists such as David Copperfield and Penn & Teller.
The modern-day Las Vegas also requires a highly skilled workforce, which necessitates competitive wages and benefits, according to Tony Abou-Ganim,a renowned bar professionalwho has lived in Las Vegas for over two decades and is currently a managing partner at Libertine Social, a premium cocktail bar located at Mandalay Bay.
A $9 cup of coffee is required for that,” said Abou-Ganim. “In return, we hope the guest’s experience is enhanced.
However, specialists note that these expenses can make Las Vegas seem unaffordable for numerous middle-income tourists — the very individuals who contributed to the city’s rise as a major tourist destination.
Regarding Bhasin, the businessperson who frequently visits Las Vegas, she is quite sure she will be reducing her trips to the city, mainly due to the expenses. Her upcoming trip there will be with her family, but she mentions that the intention is to explore national parks located away from the well-known Las Vegas Strip.
“The sole reason we’re heading to Vegas is that the flight was more affordable,” Bhasin stated.
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