With an American holiday falling on a Friday, Las Vegas, Nevada should be gearing up for a busy three-day weekend.
However, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority (LVCVA) told the Review-Journal year-over-year visits should drop 1.16% during the Fourth of July weekend.
Key takeaways
- The LVCVA projects 340,000 visitors, down from last year’s 344,000, in Las Vegas during the Fourth of July weekend.
- Economic concerns and market conditions could be the driving force for less tourism.
- Spending is expected to increase because of inflation.
The marketing organization projects 340,000 visitors will descend upon the gambling and entertainment Mecca, down from 344,000 a year ago. The 93.1% hotel occupancy rate also fell from 94.4% during 2024's Fourth of July week.
LVCVA Research Center Director Kevin Bagger said downward estimates are a reflection of economic trends and market conditions. There are also over 150,000 fewer rooms than the previous year.
The Review-Journal reported less demand for hotel rooms dropped prices compared to last summer, and rates are closer to the monthly norm than a major holiday weekend.
Spending increase
Bagger projects $449.5 million in direct consumer spending, up 3.7% from last year, due to a price increase on goods and services. The total economic impact, however, is estimated to fall 0.2%.
The LVCVA recently found a 6.5% decline in visitors, falling from 3.65 million in May 2024 to 3.41 million in May 2025. The report cited “headwinds” from “ongoing economic uncertainty” as reasons for the fall.
Gaming revenue dipped by 11% compared to May 2024, while the occupancy rate fell by 1.3%. The average daily hotel room rate dropped from $125 to $109.
Rethinking travel
Independence Day is a major vacation holiday for Americans. However, rising inflation concerns and recession fears have many tourists rethinking travel plans and expenditures. However, gas prices are expected to be about 30 cents less per gallon compared to last year's Fourth of July.
Las Vegas not only brings in visitors with casino games, sportsbooks, shows, clubs, and other forms of entertainment, but several hotels put on fireworks shows. Caesars Palace is scheduled to launch a display on the Strip around 9 p.m. local time Friday.
Vegas suffered a drop during Super Bowl LIX weekend in February. Tourism fell 12% compared to the previous year, when the city hosted the NFL’s premiere event.
