NewsNoticias Tampa Bay (Univision)August 2, 2026Hillsborough
Las Vegas Tourism Drops 7.8%, Impacting Small Businesses
A report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority shows a 7.8% decline in tourism for 2025 compared to 2024, a trend continuing into 2026. Local business owners report lower sales and cite both economic shifts and concerns over immigration policies as contributing factors.
Read the full story at Noticias Tampa Bay (Univision)Why It Matters
The decline in tourism directly impacts the revenue of small businesses in Las Vegas, with potential future state-level proposed by gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford to address the economic downturn.
Key Facts
- Tourism in Las Vegas declined by 7.8% in 2025 compared to 2024.
- The decline in visitor numbers is reported to be continuing into 2026.
- Small business owners report reduced demand for services, including wedding-related floral arrangements and general street-level food sales.
- Some business owners attribute the decline in foot traffic to fear regarding current immigration policies and ICE enforcement.
- Attorney General Aaron Ford has pledged to implement state-level subsidies for small businesses if elected governor.
- Ford claims to have previously passed legislation to provide financial assistance to small businesses.
Who's Mentioned
personDonald Trump“President whose immigration policies are cited by some business owners as a fact”personOliver Dávila“Owner of a food stand on Fremont Street.”personValeria Varela“Owner of a flower shop in Downtown Las Vegas.”personAaron Ford“Nevada Attorney General and candidate for governor proposing state subsidies for”locationLas Vegas“Primary location affected by the tourism decline.”organizationLas Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority“Source of the report documenting the 7.8% decline in visitors.”