Las Vegas Tourism Faces Setback Despite Grand Prix Draw
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Las Vegas tourism continues to face challenges as new data from Harry Reid International Airport shows a nearly 10% decline in domestic air passengers for November 2025 compared to the previous year. Despite hosting the high-profile Las Vegas Grand Prix, which attracted over 300,000 fans, the city’s overall visitor numbers have not rebounded as expected.
According to the airport’s latest figures, 3,956,419 domestic travelers passed through the airport in November, down from 4,338,575 in November 2024. This decline comes even as the three-day Grand Prix event sold out, drawing significant attention and excitement to the city. Emily Prazer, CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, expressed pride in the event’s success, emphasizing the enhanced guest experience and cultural moments unique to Las Vegas. “We elevated the guest experience at every turn and created iconic cultural moments that could only happen in Las Vegas, all while staying firmly rooted in what matters most — the race,” Prazer said.
However, the event was not without controversy. Max Verstappen, a prominent racing star, criticized the race as being “99% show and 1% sporting event,” reflecting some of the mixed reactions from the racing community.
International tourism also saw a downturn, with 239,500 visitors arriving in November 2025 compared to 303,834 the year before. This drop has been a concern for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which held discussions over the summer to address declining tourism trends. Steve Hill, president of the LVCVA, attributed part of the decline to international relations and tariffs affecting travel. “Some of the decisions our administration has made around international relations [have] caused a drop in tourism,” Hill said during a local news interview.
Canada, historically the largest source of international visitors to Las Vegas, experienced a tourism decline exceeding 20%, which has significantly impacted overall international visitation. Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino, acknowledged the absence of Canadian tourists this year, noting that the city is missing “some of our Canadian friends.”
Efforts to revive tourism include discussions about potential policy changes, such as banning criminal offenders from the Strip to improve visitor safety and appeal. The LVCVA continues to monitor trends closely and explore strategies to attract both domestic and international travelers.
With the holiday season approaching and winter travel surges anticipated nationwide, Las Vegas faces stiff competition from other destinations. The city’s tourism industry remains hopeful that upcoming events and strategic initiatives will help reverse the downward trend.
For more on travel trends and airport statistics, visit the Federal Aviation Administration and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Insights on international travel impacts can be found through the U.S. Travel Association and updates on tariffs and international relations are available at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
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