LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Major tourist spots across Las Vegas are experiencing a significant drop in visitors, with an 11% decrease compared to last year.
Locals and business owners are attributing the decline to high prices and the intense summer heat.
Kyle McCurdy, a Las Vegas local who frequently skateboards in popular tourist areas, says he’s noticed the emptiness around the city.
“We skate Fremont on the regular, and the last few weeks have literally been so quiet it’s beyond comprehension,” McCurdy said. “I’d be very concerned if I was someone out here for my regular job.”
The decline in tourism is raising concerns among those who rely on visitors for their income, particularly in the restaurant industry.
A restaurant manager off Fremont Street, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her concerns for the future.
“There’s a decline, especially in our industry, there’s a decline in customers because eating out right now, unfortunately, is a luxury for a lot of people,” she said.
She noted that most of her customers are visitors and described the strip as “a ghost town” on Saturday nights.