08/14/2025

An Empty Strip and Fewer Tips

Some industry experts worry Las Vegas is in trouble

Gloria Valdez has made a living as a hostess at a steakhouse at the D Casino in downtown Las Vegas for 15 years, surviving through the economic crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. But she says she has never seen business this bad.

"The pandemic was something that was worldwide, and we had the hope that everything would get better," said the 38-year-old single mother of two. "We're not sure if and when this is gonna stop."

Las Vegas—the city infamous for wedding chapels, 24/7 casinos, and live entertainment—is experiencing a slump in visitors. The destination hosted some 3.1 million tourists in June—marking an 11.3% decline compared to the same month last year, according to a report by the Las Vegas Convention Center. International visitors were down by some 13 percent in the same month and hotel occupancy is down nearly 15 percent.

Please select this link to read the complete article from TIME.