US-Canada Relations Crisis: Plummeting Vegas Tourism Alarms Analysts
February saw significant declines in Las Vegas gaming revenue (down 14 percent) and tourism (down 12 percent), partly attributed to the absence of the Super Bowl and a shorter month. These decreases, coupled with a sharp drop in Canadian air travel to Las Vegas (up to 55 percent for some carriers), raise concerns about the impact of a worsening US-Canada trade dispute. The reduced Canadian visitation is alarming given Canada’s status as Las Vegas’ top international market and the potential impact on major events like the Global Gaming Expo. Industry experts are monitoring the situation closely, anticipating further consequences in the coming months.
John Q. Hosedrinker