Las Vegas resorts, businesses get creative with deals amid summer tourism dip

By Tiffany Lane

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Tourism is down in Las Vegas compared to last year.

Tariffs and inflation are believed to be part of the cause.

The LVCVA reported recently that there were 6.5 percent fewer people who visited Las Vegas this past May compared to the previous year.

Brian Gordon, a principal with Applied Analysis, says while it is having a negative impact, he doesn’t believe it will lead to mass layoffs or closures of many businesses.

He says there were still 40 million people who came to town over the last year.

“I remember the, you know, post 911 I remember the great recession. I think we’ve had some pretty tough times, including the height of the COVID era in 2020. So there have been some really difficult summers here in Southern Nevada. I don’t think we’re on any sort of trajectory where the market’s going to fall out or we’re going to repeat some of those sort of disaster periods in terms of our tourism economy,” he said.

To make up for the difference, people are getting creative to get more people through their doors.

“I think definitely pricing is what’s going to attract people right now. You know, we’re in - heading into a recession, and with tourism being down in Las Vegas, people probably aren’t making as much money that work in the casinos as well,” said Bruce Kalman, food and beverage director at Midtown.

He says fun brunch and cheap happy hour deals at the Pepper Club are bringing in more locals and out-of-towners, especially with the help of their social media accounts.

“I know when I’m traveling somewhere, I’m I’m going to go on TikTok, or I’m going to go on to Instagram, and I’m gonna type in the name of the city where I’m headed, just to see what’s there,” said Kalman.

Major properties like Resorts World are also providing options to increase traffic, including free parking, something that’s a big draw on the Strip.

And, they’re also getting rid of resort fees for guests who book on a specific website.

“I think it’s significant, right? Because it depends on the property,” said Mario Jacques, director of resort services and guest relations at Resorts World. “But before you can step a foot in it, you’re paying, you know, $40 for a resort fee, and $50 for parking. You don’t have to worry that about that here.”

They’re also offering passes for people who aren’t staying at the hotel to enjoy the pool.

“It’s always challenging during the summer, because everybody’s competing for the same wallet, right?” said Jacques. “So again, we’ve seen that as an opportunity to get creative and offer different experiences for our guests.”

And in nearby downtown Las Vegas at Neonopolis, Joe Borusiewicz is focusing his efforts specifically on locals, so that his nightclub, Substance Las Vegas, doesn’t take a big hit.

“We’re all about pleasing our regulars, our customers, our people that live here in town, and they’re coming out to our events all year round, you know, not just for one weekend or once a year,” he said.

He says having a venue that operates differently from those on the Strip gives his club an edge.

“If it means working on the pricing of different things, or, you know, implementing more more events that are about themes, and, you know, just different cool, fun stuff than expensive headliners,” said Borusiewicz, who is the co-owner of the venue. “Just different things across the board, just to keep the locals happy.”

He says one of the great things about drawing in locals is that they also bring their friends when they’re visiting.

Everyone is using different tactics to make sure guests are having fun...and spending money to keep the lights on.