Las Vegas Sees Shift in Visitor Spending Habits

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A new visitor profile study from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reveals that tourists are cutting back on everyday spending during their trips to Las Vegas. Food and drink spending is down more than $30 per trip, and shopping has dropped nearly $60. However, the report also shows Las Vegas is attracting more high-income travelers, with a growing number of visitors earning more than $150,000 a year.

Why it matters

The decline in visitor spending on food, drinks, and shopping could mean fewer tips and slower business for the workers and small businesses that rely on tourist dollars in Las Vegas. The shift towards more high-income travelers may also impact the types of businesses and amenities that thrive in the city.

The details

The visitor profile study found that rising prices, resort fees, and parking costs are becoming a bigger concern for both visitors and locals. Additionally, the share of tourists visiting downtown Las Vegas has fallen from 58% in 2022 to just 42% today, which could affect small businesses and the tax base that supports city services. The study also found that more visitors are staying with friends and family instead of hotels, and many are taking shorter trips.

• The visitor profile study was conducted in 2026.
• The share of tourists visiting downtown Las Vegas has fallen from 58% in 2022 to 42% today.