Desperate Vegas hotels roll out discounts as visitors shrink

Las Vegas hotels have begun a dramatic, multi-pronged effort to lure visitors as tourism in the city cools sharply. The latest data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) show visitor volume down 11% year over year in June and 12% in July, marking the second straight month of double-digit declines. Hotel occupancy and airline traffic have weakened, while retail and restaurant sales have slipped as travelers and locals perceive prices as elevated and value eroded by fees and surcharges.

Caesars Entertainment has moved aggressively with promotions aimed at Nevada residents. The company is offering free self-parking Sunday through Thursday at all eight Las Vegas resorts through Oct. 30, along with 25% off food and drinks at more than 100 restaurants, bars and lounges, and 15–20% off spa treatments. Discounts extend to popular attractions, including the Eiffel Tower viewing deck and the Fly LINQ Zipline. A separate offer—$300 stay-and-dine packages available through December 31 at Harrah’s, The LINQ and Flamingo—includes a two-night stay with $200 in food and beverage credit, with taxes and resort fees included. "There’s no better time to visit Vegas, and this package is an incredible value in the heart of The Strip," said Dan Walsh, senior vice president and general manager of the three Caesars properties.

At the north end of the Strip, the Sahara Las Vegas is reviving its well-known All-In Experience, bundling perks such as $69 room rates, no resort fees, a $25 daily dining credit, free room upgrades, late check-out, complimentary pool access and discounted tickets to shows like Magic Mike Live. "The All-In Experience struck a chord with our guests this summer. We’re bringing it back this fall to deliver even more value and ensure every stay feels effortless, memorable and uniquely Las Vegas," said Paul Hobson, Sahara Las Vegas general manager.

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The promotions arrive amid growing frustration from travelers who say Las Vegas has priced itself out of reach, citing hidden resort fees, inflated drink prices and other surcharges. In August, the Daily Mail highlighted reports that Bellagio was charging $25 just to eat off a plate, a fee tied to crockery on top of the meal’s cost and service charges. Industry voices quoted by the Daily Mail warned that a consumer mindset of higher costs and tighter generosity could deter visitors. "What used to be a reasonable trip is now much more expensive... there are all kinds of fees that people have to pay at hotels and some of the service standards and generosity with things like free drinks while in casinos have tightened," said Neil Saunders, retail and consumer goods analyst with Global Data, citing the broader trend.

Despite the softer visitation, casino revenue has shown resilience. Nevada’s non-restricted gaming licensees won $1.36 billion in July, up 4% year over year, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Las Vegas Strip alone generated more than $749 million in July, up 5.6% from July 2024, supported by a 79% surge in baccarat revenue. "Our gaming revenue is really hanging in there pretty strongly, and so not following the visitation drop, which is great," said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the LVCVA, noting that gaming remains a cornerstone of the region’s economy.

Outside the casino floor, the picture darkens. Data from the Nevada Department of Taxation show food and beverage outlets recording a $191 million decline in sales over the past 11 months, while clothing, shoes and jewelry retailers are down another $140 million. Retailers’ association president Bryan Wachter told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that thinning tourist volumes are weighing on workers and household budgets, especially as inflation squeezes discretionary spending. He said trips to Vegas are often among the first cut when families reassess budgets during tight economic times. Canada, a traditional feeder market, has contracted sharply, with Canadian air traffic down about 18.5% year over year; Mayor Shelley Berkley described Canadian arrivals as a "drip" rather than a steady stream.

Looking ahead, Las Vegas could lose substantial international spending in 2025. Industry forecasts project $12.5 billion in lost international visitor spending for the year, underscoring how much the city relies on outsiders to sustain its hospitality ecosystem. Caesars, Sahara, Resorts World, Station Casinos, Circa and others are betting on bundling, transparency and old-fashioned value to turn the tide. Yet industry observers caution that a price war may only be part of the solution as travelers reassess the overall value proposition of a Vegas trip in a tighter economy. "It’s a cumulative effect that’s just now starting to show up," said Andrew Woods, director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research. "Vegas is one of the first markets hit when the economy tightens—and one of the last to recover."