Las Vegas sees fall in tourists - prices could be to blame
Las Vegas's high prices could be putting off potential tourists, according to new visitor figures. Tourist numbers have fallen every month this year with 6.5 percent fewer visitors than in 2024, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
International arrivals at Harry Reid Airport were 8.7 percent lower in May than the same month in 2024. It is thought that Sin City's soaring prices could be to blame for its falling visitor numbers.
A visitor recently shared her shock after she was charged $26/£19.11 for a bottle of Fiji water from the minibar in her room at the Aria Resort & Casino. And a British magician was also left outraged after he was billed $74.31/£54.63 for two drinks at Sphere in Las Vegas.
Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor website, told The Times : 'On the Strip, people get taken for a ride. 'Once they get here they're like, "I've had enough of this crap, I'm tired of being treated like this. I'm tired of having to pay these ridiculous prices".'
The Vegas expert explained that many casinos have 'turned their back on the middle market' in order to focus on more affluent tourists. A 2024 study found that the average income of Las Vegas holidaymakers is now $93,000/£68,365, with many budget travelers priced out of the gambling capital.
In a Reddit post, a person who recently visited Vegas describes the city as 'amazing' but 'absurdly priced'. The user writes: 'Walking around the different themed casinos was like a fever dream. Sadly I felt like a spectator instead of a participant. I have honestly never been to a place that was more absurdly priced.'
They claim they had to spend $30/£22 on a glass of house wine and were charged $50/£36 for two bottles of water from the minibar. On another Reddit thread, a user says Las Vegas is 'extortionately expensive'. They wrote: 'I live in a very high cost of living area.
'Vegas is extortionately expensive. Shows. Restaurants. Everything is far more expensive in Vegas than here.' Meanwhile, another commenter says: 'I used to love going Vegas, but the last few times I had sticker shock on everything.
'You can have an amazing time in Vegas on any budget, but if your budget is on the lower end, then you may have to forego some experiences and types of restaurants.' And another user writes: 'Yes Vegas is expensive, but it's a high end destination in a tourist area and you're getting some of the best food and service in the world.'
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