Maybe that poster is a woman?
I'm Gipper
I'm Gipper
Las Vegas on a downward trajectory
25,271 Views |
241 Replies |
Last: 18 hrs ago by jja79
I've always wondered when the button would fall out of Vegas. Way too many casinos and crazy expensive.
Also think our high consumer, debt driven society is slowly beginning to eat itself. It is not sustainable.
Also think our high consumer, debt driven society is slowly beginning to eat itself. It is not sustainable.
Hullabaloonatic said:
Tourism across the US as a whole is down. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global body representing the Travel & Tourism private sector, announced in May its latest Economic Impact Research which found that the U.S. is on track to lose $12.5B in international visitor spending this year.
I think it's interesting that OP didn't list Trump as any of the potential reasons for tourist decline amongst Las Vegas or anywhere in general. The significant decline in visitors from Canada is particularly costly, as Canadian tourists made up roughly one-quarter of all foreign travelers who came to the United States in 2024, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). Last year, Canadians spent $20.5 billion. In May, Canadian visitations dropped by 38% by car and 24% by air compared to the same month in 2024. It was the fifth consecutive month of steepening year-over-year declines, following double-digit drops in April and March.
I think it's fair to speculate whether Trump's antagonistic actions towards our neighbors to the North have directly impacted the willingness of Canadians to cross the border for leisure.
I'm sure there are a handful of Canadians that are avoiding the US out of spite but the reality is Canada is in serious financial trouble and Canadians are getting wrecked on disposable income. Salaries in places like Toronto (half of Canadians live in greater Toronto) are far less than the US and are stagnant with the CAD running 70-75 cents on the USD and poised to keep sinking. Combine that with stifling taxes and insane real estate and general cost of living increases and there are fewer and fewer Canadians that have cash to go off to Vegas or anywhere. Also, a lot of wealth in Canada has moved to foreigners (esp Asians) that have come there to work with Canada having far more generous immigration policies than the US. Most of those Asians aren't Vegas types for where they want to vacation. The average traditional Canadian has gotten squeezed far more than most Americans understand and it's getting worse with Carney doubling down on stupid in trade policy and socialism.
Realize that if Canada was the 51st state it would be the poorest and getting poorer. The old Canada is dead. They have a chance to fix it but they are far too busy digging the hole deeper for now and still foolishly think that Trump and the US are someone they can pressure to do what they want.
"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Between the insane cost of food/drink/room and the smell of weed everywhere we have lost interest in Vegas. Last time we went for a work trip we spent most of the free time out by red rocks and kayaking the Colorado.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Hullabaloonatic said:
Tourism across the US as a whole is down. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global body representing the Travel & Tourism private sector, announced in May its latest Economic Impact Research which found that the U.S. is on track to lose $12.5B in international visitor spending this year.
I think it's interesting that OP didn't list Trump as any of the potential reasons for tourist decline amongst Las Vegas or anywhere in general. The significant decline in visitors from Canada is particularly costly, as Canadian tourists made up roughly one-quarter of all foreign travelers who came to the United States in 2024, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). Last year, Canadians spent $20.5 billion. In May, Canadian visitations dropped by 38% by car and 24% by air compared to the same month in 2024. It was the fifth consecutive month of steepening year-over-year declines, following double-digit drops in April and March.
I think it's fair to speculate whether Trump's antagonistic actions towards our neighbors to the North have directly impacted the willingness of Canadians to cross the border for leisure.
lol, *Trump*!
I have a project for work in Vegas. I have resources out there every month for client meetings. This project has been going on for two plus years.
Vegas was dying last year, with Biden in office.
The team started noticing the decline in late 2023, continuing through 2024.
It's weird people are just now noticing it.
It's not fun anymore. There's a charge for everything out there now - they'll probably start charging by the square of toilet paper used next.
The greedy clowns running the resorts have killed it. They changed their business model from the casino floor to the fees bylines at the bottom of all your receipts.
Good riddance.
Aggie Jurist said:
Vegas used to be about the gambling. Food was cheap, rooms were cheap. They wanted you in the casinos. Then it changed to a resort/convention town. There are lots of those.
It seems this happened like 8-10 years ago. I went there about 11-12 years ago and flights and hotels were dirt cheap as they had always been, even staying at the Bellagio. I went back in 2019, and everything had skyrocketed in price. Hotel prices were nearly triple. I have not been back since but I assume it's only gotten pricier.
The strip is now basically owned by MGM, Caesar's and then a couple other smaller companies. They suck every penny they can out of tourist. But for the gambling, they have made it boring. Every MGM casino (roughly 40 percent of the strip) has the exact same machines and table game ( same odds too). Makes it boring walking to different casinos as they are all the same. I see way less people gambling there now than I used. I only go for work conferences, but been about 8 times the past three years. Nothing like it was 20 years ago.
The problem is likely the short term maximizing of profit.
Yeah you can capitalize on the people using their corporate cards and friend vacations that are playing financially im great chicken with each other.
But I do wander if the damage of pricing out the college trips will / has hurt their reunion traffic.
Yeah you can capitalize on the people using their corporate cards and friend vacations that are playing financially im great chicken with each other.
But I do wander if the damage of pricing out the college trips will / has hurt their reunion traffic.
You'll need to get out on the internet more beyond F16 if you think Trump isn't having an affect on foreign tourism. The left is employing effective scare tactics that foreigners are eating up: come to America as a tourist and get hassled at best or at worst arrested and deported. They like to inflate the actions of ICE, mislead, and pounce on any actual mistakes ICE makes. Then there is the actual animosity towards Trump among foreigners due to tariffs impacting their home country as well as the whole "annex Canada" BS.
Now, obviously Vegas' decline isn't entirely on Trump - its due to a number of factors. And its mostly not due to foreign tourism. Most of the decline has to do with inflation and the economy and how most American's don't really have any extra to spend on an over-priced Vegas trip.
And why is it overpriced? Vegas' bottom line is too fat nowadays due to bad decisions. It's also due to the fact every single major hotel/casino is now unionized. And of course inflation...due to the US printing money non-stop to get over COVID.
People no longer go to Vegas because they want to go to Vegas - they go to see/do something that happens IN Vegas. Because otherwise its just too pricy for what the average person can afford as a destination.
Now, obviously Vegas' decline isn't entirely on Trump - its due to a number of factors. And its mostly not due to foreign tourism. Most of the decline has to do with inflation and the economy and how most American's don't really have any extra to spend on an over-priced Vegas trip.
And why is it overpriced? Vegas' bottom line is too fat nowadays due to bad decisions. It's also due to the fact every single major hotel/casino is now unionized. And of course inflation...due to the US printing money non-stop to get over COVID.
People no longer go to Vegas because they want to go to Vegas - they go to see/do something that happens IN Vegas. Because otherwise its just too pricy for what the average person can afford as a destination.
I went to Vegas last year for the NFR. I had a great time but felt like everytime I turned around I was paying exorbitant amounts for anything/everything. It just felt like I was being ripped off constantly.
First time I have ever felt glad to be going home from a vacation.
First time I have ever felt glad to be going home from a vacation.
Im Gipper said:
Maybe that poster is a woman?
No. But the 250 for the show ticket was to keep a very special woman happy. This cost ended up being covered by my good fortune and astute betting at the casino sports book.
As far as the cinnamon roll - we moved on and got something else.
They've even begun changing their members rewards perks and comps. It's that way in almost every industry. Theme parks are the same way now, too. Nickel and dime your customers to the point where you chase off loyal ones and shrink your pool of new customers. Then, when you start to notice your business beginning to fall off, start whining to the press and blame politicians.
I'm also guessing since Millennials don't embrace the Gen X "hook up" culture, and don't drink like Gen X, these factors also contributing.
Aust Ag said:
I'm also guessing since Millennials don't embrace the Gen X "hook up" culture, and don't drink like Gen X, these factors also contributing.
Just when you thought millennials couldn't get any lamer…
I have to go to Vegas every January for a convention and I hate it. I go Sunday to Thursday and pay for three employees to go as well. 7 years ago, this trip would cost about $10,000 total. The last two years it's been closer to $18,000. And there's no gambling happening (that I'm paying for). That's just decent hotels and meals for everyone. We usually do one dinner where everyone brings their significant other, and 3-4 meals where we invite clients or other business partners.
Whenever people ask me about going there for fun, I urge them to go elsewhere. I can't imagine why anyone would choose to allocate their vacation funds there - particularly because you can gamble just about anywhere now, and all of the restaurants there can be found and are more enjoyable in other cities that aren't complete ****holes.
Whenever people ask me about going there for fun, I urge them to go elsewhere. I can't imagine why anyone would choose to allocate their vacation funds there - particularly because you can gamble just about anywhere now, and all of the restaurants there can be found and are more enjoyable in other cities that aren't complete ****holes.
Vegas is about premium experiences. Those willing to pay for it have the money and don't think twice. They are high margin customers. This has exploded since Covid I feel where there are different tiers and businesses figured out they can create a premium tier that as little incremental cost but charge a ton for.
It's like gas stations. The dude paying for premium doesn't care it's an incremental $0.50/gallon. He probably doesn't care if it's $1 so a smart gas station operator will maximize profits there if he can. As long as you're not too greedy, you can milk it for a long time.
It's like gas stations. The dude paying for premium doesn't care it's an incremental $0.50/gallon. He probably doesn't care if it's $1 so a smart gas station operator will maximize profits there if he can. As long as you're not too greedy, you can milk it for a long time.
Capt. Augustus McCrae
Joined:
Apr 15, 2012
Posts:
10,582
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Gambling, prostitution, drug use and mostly lame shows were destined for failure. I cant say I'm sad to see the demise of a place called "Sin City"
Aggie Jurist said:
Vegas used to be about the gambling. Food was cheap, rooms were cheap. They wanted you in the casinos. Then it changed to a resort/convention town. There are lots of those.
I was just in Vegas for 6 days.
For a conference.
Never gambled once.
swampstander said:
Funnier to me about that is the 69 bros picture is probably from around 2005
Aust Ag said:
I'm also guessing since Millennials don't embrace the Gen X "hook up" culture, and don't drink like Gen X, these factors also contributing.
You do realize millennials are fast approaching age 50 right?
Capt. Augustus McCrae said:
Gambling, prostitution, drug use and mostly lame shows were destined for failure. I cant say I'm sad to see the demise of a place called "Sin City"
You think Vegas has failed and these things are going away? Seriously?
Panama Red said:BQ78 said:
Are you serious, Jack? Canadians who hate Trump are normally half of Vegas visitors. Sure.
At places like Excalibur or even New York New York, the number of Canadians is even higher. Usually arrived on Spirit Airlines.
There are black people in Canada???
Anecdotal of course but wife and I went to the bellagio in March. We usually love Vegas and typically stay at Wynn/encore but haven't been in two years. So not sure how much difference is because of time passed or if it is just difference in the two properties, but we weren't really impressed with our experience. Overpriced everything and crowds everywhere except on the actual tables. Minimum craps bets were $50 which takes a lot of the fun out of it for me of staying on the table a long time and riding the ups and downs.
Had to wait in line every morning at least 10-15 minutes to get an overpriced cup of coffee and the room service situation was extremely slow.
I do think Vegas is getting hit with inflation creep where the cost of everything (would guess primarily labor) has gone up and they are trying to make up for it by charging more.
I'm not a high roller by any means, never had a room comped at the Wynn, but after our trip to the bellagio I've gotten an email every month offering me comped rooms for pretty much any night I want (except a few random nights here or there). Makes me think they are struggling for business and just trying to get people back in.
I would say we like to go to Vegas because historically it's been relatively cheap for how much luxury you get and then we also like to gamble. But we didn't feel like we got some great deal this time and the gambling was fine but nothing special.
Had to wait in line every morning at least 10-15 minutes to get an overpriced cup of coffee and the room service situation was extremely slow.
I do think Vegas is getting hit with inflation creep where the cost of everything (would guess primarily labor) has gone up and they are trying to make up for it by charging more.
I'm not a high roller by any means, never had a room comped at the Wynn, but after our trip to the bellagio I've gotten an email every month offering me comped rooms for pretty much any night I want (except a few random nights here or there). Makes me think they are struggling for business and just trying to get people back in.
I would say we like to go to Vegas because historically it's been relatively cheap for how much luxury you get and then we also like to gamble. But we didn't feel like we got some great deal this time and the gambling was fine but nothing special.
Probably should have also included Gen Z there, as they go even farther against the Gen X ways. Definitely don't see them keeping Vegas afloat.
Capt. Augustus McCrae
Joined:
Apr 15, 2012
Posts:
10,582
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Panama Red said:Capt. Augustus McCrae said:
Gambling, prostitution, drug use and mostly lame shows were destined for failure. I cant say I'm sad to see the demise of a place called "Sin City"
You think Vegas has failed and these things are going away? Seriously?
I'm sure they're not going away because people are inherently sinful and attracted to "bad" things.
I think they'll fail eventually though. I hope they do
Was about to say, millennials aren't the problem. It is the cost of everything and the ghetto weed crowd on scooters and electric wheelchair scooters that turned me off to vegas since covid.
flown-the-coop said:Sid Farkas said:
Vegas has turned into one giant carnival cruise ship filled with Spirit airlines passengers.
I think this thread is about that ship turning around, gnomsayin?
Maybe but he's not wrong. Since Covid, Vegas has just gone disgusting. Fat chicks wearing next to nothing, homeless everywhere, frumpy skanks accosting you for a paid pic, the Spirit Airlines crowd.
And the whole town stinks of weed now. About the only place you can get away from it is in the nicer casinos.
I came to the conclusion a few years ago that Vegas is like much of the Caribbean. Fly in, get driven directly to the resort of your choosing, stay there until it's time to get driven back to the airport.
Jack Ruby said:Aust Ag said:
I'm also guessing since Millennials don't embrace the Gen X "hook up" culture, and don't drink like Gen X, these factors also contributing.
You do realize millennials are fast approaching age 50 right?
Well, the oldest millennial is around 44 right now...
Incellagio is being built for the millenials and Y.
I was in industrial sales, and we represented a factory in Kansas. They wanted to have a few days of training on some new products. They looked at bringing people to the factory. Too expensive. They considered regional sessions but also too expensive. They decided to have it in Las Vegas. Took my girlfriend (now wife of 34 years). It was great. We stayed at Imperial Palace for around $50 per night, which included breakfast and lunch. We're not gamblers so played a few slots, but they had free lounge shows. We went to see Sigreid and Roy magicians and Folies Bergere. Everything was subsidized by gambling so was cheap.
FF tp Jan 2017, I had a good friend who had his FFL as a gun dealer. He invited me to SHOT Show (shooting hunting outdoors trade show) in Vegas. This is not open to the general public rather was an industry gun show. It was Disneyland for a gun guy! The point is how much everything changed. Everything much more expensive. The all-you-can-eat buffets that used to be cheap were not any longer. I figured if I was going to spend that much for dinner, I was going to eat my money's worth. On a side note, I came home and weighed more than I had ever weighed in my life. It got my attention and I lost 40 pounds and have kept it off since then.
FF tp Jan 2017, I had a good friend who had his FFL as a gun dealer. He invited me to SHOT Show (shooting hunting outdoors trade show) in Vegas. This is not open to the general public rather was an industry gun show. It was Disneyland for a gun guy! The point is how much everything changed. Everything much more expensive. The all-you-can-eat buffets that used to be cheap were not any longer. I figured if I was going to spend that much for dinner, I was going to eat my money's worth. On a side note, I came home and weighed more than I had ever weighed in my life. It got my attention and I lost 40 pounds and have kept it off since then.
All good things have to come to an end.
Maybe Vegas time has passed. We went there in 2001 after my wife and I got married. It was pretty cool. Haven't been there since. My friends who visit lately are not impressed. Maybe we have all gotten older too.
Maybe Vegas time has passed. We went there in 2001 after my wife and I got married. It was pretty cool. Haven't been there since. My friends who visit lately are not impressed. Maybe we have all gotten older too.
DannyDuberstein said:
Incellagio is being built for the millenials and Y.
Imagine a huge bar in Vegas full of Y's and Z's sitting around sipping expensive drinks and staring at their phones instead of actually talking to each other.
ThunderCougarFalconBird
Joined:
Oct 10, 2006
Posts:
49,316
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Another issue that no one mentions is Macao. Asian whales that would go to Vegas to play high-stakes are basically non existent now. Why bother crossing the pacific when a bigger and better gambling Mecca is in your own back yard.
rononeill said:
Call me crazy, but I believe Vegas will be just fine. Maybe the strip will suffer for a moment, but the offstrip venues are thriving. In-migration/California Exodus, diversification of employment- LV, the city, is on a Phoenix trajectory.
I live in the Phoenix metro. What is a Phoenix trajectory?
Scouts Out
Urban Ag said:DannyDuberstein said:
Incellagio is being built for the millenials and Y.
Imagine a huge bar in Vegas full of Y's and Z's sitting around sipping expensive drinks and staring at their phones instead of actually talking to each other.
Sad, but True.
SVR44
A&M vs UTSA: What Would Make You Believe This Team is for Real?
in Billy Liucci's TexAgs Premium
22
DanTanna86
A&M vs UTSA: What Would Make You Believe This Team is for Real?
in Billy Liucci's TexAgs Premium
17