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Tourism

Trump Administration's Immigration Policies Hit Las Vegas Tourism

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Trump administration's immigration policies have taken a toll on Las Vegas tourism, with a significant drop in international visitors and concern among workers in the hospitality industry. According to workers and the largest labor union in the state of Nevada, the Culinary Union, the decline in tourism is partly due to the administration's immigration agenda, which includes revoking immigration statuses and delayed action for childhood arrivals. The union represents 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, and 45% of its members are immigrants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported a 13% drop in international visitors in June, compared to the same month last year.
  • Flair Airlines, a Canadian airline, reported a 55% drop in passengers compared to last year.
  • Air Canada reported a 13.2% drop in passengers from May to June this year to Las Vegas, and one third lower compared to last year.
  • The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 reported that nearly a quarter (24%) of Nevada's workforce are immigrants, and an even higher share of Nevada's leisure and hospitality industry are immigrants.
  • Immigrants contribute an estimated $20.2bn to Nevada's economy annually.
  • The majority of immigrants in Nevada's hospitality industry come from Canada, Mexico, and countries in Central America, according to the Culinary Union.
  • The Trump administration's immigration policies have created a sense of uncertainty and fear among immigrants in Nevada, with many worrying about their immigration status and potential deportation.
  • The Culinary Union has secured in their contracts that any worker who has their immigration status removed or expired is able to maintain their job, seniority, and pay until they get their status resolved.
  • Ted Pappageorge, secretary treasurer of Culinary Workers Union Local 226, emphasized that the industry needs a "complete 180 course correction" on the damage done to the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry by the Trump administration's policies.

Statistics:

  • 11.3%: the drop in visitors to Las Vegas in June 2025, compared to the same month last year.
  • 13%: the drop in international visitors to Las Vegas in June 2025, compared to the same month last year.
  • 55%: the drop in passengers reported by Flair Airlines compared to last year.
  • 13.2%: the drop in passengers reported by Air Canada from May to June this year to Las Vegas.
  • $20.2bn: the estimated contribution of immigrants to Nevada's economy annually.
  • 24%: the percentage of Nevada's workforce who are immigrants.
  • 45%: the percentage of Culinary Union members who are immigrants.
  • 178: the number of countries represented by the Culinary Union's members.
  • 40: the number of languages spoken by the Culinary Union's members.

Sources:

  • Michael Sainato, "The Trump administration's immigration policies are affecting workers and driving, in part, a decline in tourism, including international tourists, to Las Vegas, according to workers and the largest labor union in the state of Nevada."
  • Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
  • Flair Airlines
  • Air Canada
  • Culinary Workers Union Local 226
  • Governor of Nevada (multiple requests for comment)

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