Las Vegas, once celebrated as the playground for everyday Americans and international thrill-seekers, is experiencing a significant downturn in visitor numbers due to what many are calling “ridiculous prices” and hidden fees. New data for 2025 reveal a 6.5% drop in tourists compared to the previous year, with airport traffic and gaming revenue both sliding—trends experts blame on a combination of economic uncertainty and escalating costs of a Vegas holiday (The Times).
This slump in visitors is particularly notable for Thais and other Southeast Asian travelers, who have long viewed Las Vegas as a must-see on North American trips. Rising expenses, coupled with economic headwinds, mean that the city’s reputation as an accessible destination for people from all walks of life is under increasing threat.
At the heart of the issue are notorious price surges and additional fees that have left many feeling “nickel and dimed.” Viral examples have recently circulated on social media, such as a $26 bottle of water from a hotel minibar, a $60 plus tax surcharge for early check-in at the iconic Flamingo Casino, and a $25 dinnerware fee with room service at MGM Resorts. The publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor, a respected authority on bargain hunting in the city, detailed rising discontent: “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 publisher explained. A multitude of added fees—parking charges, resort fees on top of room rates, and more—have become standard, testing tourists’ patience and wallets.
These complaints come on the heels of a fading post-pandemic tourism surge. During the aftermath of COVID-19, pent-up demand sent droves of visitors flooding back to Las Vegas casinos. However, this excitement appears to be waning, according to tourism-sector insiders. The city’s economy, which is heavily dependent on the travel industry, is now facing its sternest test since international travel resumed.
Additionally, the so-called “Trump slump”—a phrase used to describe the impact of President Trump’s economic and diplomatic policies—has cast a long shadow over American inbound tourism. Experts point specifically to new tariffs and mounting economic uncertainty, which discourage middle-income families and international travelers from splurging on a Las Vegas escape. For example, May saw an 8.7% drop in international arrivals at Harry Reid International Airport compared with the previous year, and overall passenger traffic in May was down by 3.9%. Notably, Canadian arrivals—a significant demographic for Las Vegas—plummeted by 21.7% in May, as official airport statistics confirm.
Some local business owners, such as the founder of Escape Adventures, a Las Vegas outfit offering guided cycling and hiking tours, report that Canadian customers have “cancelled on us, which has been a bummer.” He likened the current downturn to a “mini Covid,” referencing the sharp downturn in travel during the pandemic’s height.
For many, Las Vegas is no longer the egalitarian playground it once was. A 2024 study revealed that the median income of Strip visitors was $93,000, with casinos shifting their focus to high-income clientele. “To a degree they [the casinos] turned their back on the middle market, which is a dumb thing to do in the long run,” said the Las Vegas Advisor publisher, questioning the sustainability of this strategy (The Times).
Despite widespread grumbling over prices, Vegas maintains some of its unique draw—its world-class resorts and entertainment. In 2025, marquee stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, and Lenny Kravitz hold residencies on the Strip, with Dolly Parton set for six shows at the Colosseum in December. Such offerings ensure that, in many ways, Las Vegas remains in a league of its own for high-end leisure.
Still, looming questions remain about whether this visible dip in visitors will spiral into a deeper crisis. The current sentiment among industry experts is that if the casinos continue to alienate their middle-market roots, and if economic policy tweaks fail to ease global uncertainty, Las Vegas could face tougher times. But the city has weathered many storms in its history, often reinventing itself with resilience and ingenuity. As the publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor puts it: “When it’s bad for the casinos, it’s good for the customer”—hinting at the possibility of future deals or policy reversals aimed at drawing tourists back.
For Thai travelers, especially those planning to visit the United States for leisure or business, these trends warrant careful consideration. The value proposition of visiting Las Vegas is rapidly shifting. Instead of the accessible blend of fun and entertainment, visitors are greeted with unexpected costs at every turn. Travelers should meticulously research hotel and entertainment pricing, factor in additional “resort” and service fees, and evaluate off-Strip or alternative US destinations where their Baht may go further.
In Thai travel culture, value for money and transparency in pricing are highly prized, as shown by the consistent popularity of places where all-inclusive packages are common and hidden surcharges are frowned upon. Stories of exorbitant water and check-in charges in Las Vegas resonate as cautionary tales. The lesson is to plan carefully, use trusted international travel forums and deal-comparison websites, and remain alert to shifting global economic conditions that might affect travel costs and experiences.
Looking forward, industry watchers expect Las Vegas’ operators to make strategic adjustments—potentially lowering fees or launching special promotions—to win back lost customers. Some analysts have suggested that sustained visitor declines will eventually force the hospitality sector to recalibrate its pricing just as has happened during previous periods of tourist slumps, such as after the 2008 global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
For now, the advice to Thai tourists is straightforward: scrutinize total trip costs, remain skeptical of seemingly cheap flight deals that conceal hefty local fees, and consider cities or attractions across the United States that offer more transparent value. Until Vegas reimagines its mix of luxury and affordability, it may no longer hold its classic appeal for prudent Thai travelers.
Sources: The Times, Harry Reid International Airport Official Statistics, Las Vegas Advisor Consumer Reports.