Even as reports indicate Las Vegas tourism is down overall, Circa Resort & Casino CEO Derek Stevens told Fox News Digital in an interview that the assessment may be “premature.” (See the video at the top of this article.)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only 3.1 million people visited Sin City in June, down 11.3% compared to last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).<\/p>\n
LAS VEGAS CASINO CULTURE SUFFERS REJECTION BY GAMBLERS OF YOUNGER GENERATIONS<\/a><\/p>\n “I think some of the data in Las Vegas indicates that some of these stories are a bit exaggerated,” said Stevens. “The June gaming numbers were just released and not everything is terrible.”<\/p>\n The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGB) announced that on a statewide level, gaming revenues were $1.33 billion, which is a 3.5% increase from June 2024.<\/p>\n “I think some of the data in Las Vegas indicates that some of these stories are a bit exaggerated,” a Vegas casino owner told Fox News Digital.\u00a0 (iStock)<\/p>\n “In specific pockets, like where we at Circa Las Vegas are located in downtown \u2014 I think people feel there’s maybe a little better value. Things were really booming,” said Stevens.\u00a0<\/p>\n He added, “If you really start unpeeling some layers of the onion in Las Vegas, I think you’re going to find companies that have very specific areas that are a little less subject to the economy and that are doing OK.”<\/p>\n Stevens said he’s spoken with other Las Vegas casino CEOs and said across the industry, there’s a “mixed bag” of opinions regarding the current state of tourism.<\/p>\n The latest statistics have confirmed the social chatter that\u00a0Las Vegas tourism\u00a0has hit a “dramatic low,” with some even calling Vegas an experience of the past. But some say otherwise.\u00a0 (Circa Casino & Resort)<\/p>\n “[The] high end is a little less impacted by the economy, and then there are others that are doing well as well,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “On the other side, there’s definitely some pretty significant concern about \u2026 flights [into the city].”<\/p>\n LAS VEGAS TOURISM DROPS SHARPLY AS SOME VISITORS CLAIM ‘CASINOS ARE EMPTY’ AMID RISING COSTS<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0Harry Reid Airport<\/a>\u00a0has shown a decline, dropping 4.1% compared to the same time last year, according to the website.<\/p>\n “Clearly, [there are] some concerns with regard to international tourism,”<\/a> said Stevens.<\/p>\n “I think some properties may be feeling it more than others, but I think that’s something you’re going to see in any type of tourist destination.” (iStock)<\/p>\n “I think that’s something that you see in any heavily, heavily visited area, whether it’s San Francisco, Hawaii, Southern California, Las Vegas, Florida,” he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I think everyone is in a position where you can say we’re missing some of our Canadian friends<\/a> who aren’t visiting this year,” he also said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nevada is among the top five most visited states by Canadians, according to the U.S. Travel Association.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We’re missing some of our Canadian friends who aren’t visiting this year.”<\/p>\n The association warned that the United States could see a 10% reduction in Canadian travel, which is about 2 million fewer visits, according to recent reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n Stevens said he believes the lack of international visitors<\/a> right now may be due to the overall global economy and exchange rates.\u00a0<\/p>\n Las Vegas is facing a pronounced tourism decline, with just 3.1 million June visitors this year \u2014 an 11.3% drop from last year. (iStock)<\/p>\n Stevens said Circa has found a niche by being “very sports-oriented,” with the resort<\/a> and casino drawing in crowds for recent events.\u00a0<\/p>\n “UFC has been terrific those particular weekends,” he said, referencing the Ultimate Fighting Championship<\/a>, headquartered in Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n “[The] fights have been great. Now we’re getting into really a boom time of both groups coming for fantasy football drafts, as well as people coming to sign up for our world’s largest football contest in Circus Survivor and Circa Millions.”<\/p>\n Other Vegas properties associated with attractions, said Stevens, are also keeping afloat, such as entertainment events at Sphere and musical concerts this summer.<\/p>\n “I think in six months, I would believe that Vegas tourism and our economy overall will be in a much better place,” said the CEO of a Vegas resort company.\u00a0 (iStock)<\/p>\n “I think some properties may be feeling it more than others, but I think that’s something you’re going to see in any type of tourist destination \u2026 It doesn’t mean that every sector is necessarily down.”<\/p>\n![\"empty](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/las-vegas-tourism-decline-casino-ceo-counters.jpg\")
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