A new wave of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump could lead to fewer Canadian tourists visiting Las Vegas, the US Travel Association warned on Monday.
Canadians made 20.4 million visits to the U.S. in 2024, generating $20.5 billion in spending. A 10% drop in Canadian visitors could result in a loss of 2 million visits, $2.1 billion in spending, and the potential for 14,000 job losses, the trade body said.
Statistics from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Harry Reid International Airport suggest Las Vegas could be a destination most affected by Trump’s tariff proposal.
Canadian visitors accounted for 1.4 million trips to Las Vegas in 2023, around 30 percent of international visitors, as per data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That figure was up 57.7 percent from 2022 totals.
The US Travel Association warned that the reduction in Canadian tourism could also impact other top U.S. states that attract Canadian visitors, including Florida, California, New York, and Texas, especially dealing a major blow to the retail and hospitality sectors.
The tariffs, enacted on February 1, place a 25% duty on Canadian imports. Additionally, energy imports from Canada will now be subject to a 10% tariff.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that the proposed tariffs on both sides would be paused for at least 30 days while both countries negotiate.
Before Trudeau’s announcement of the pause, Canada retaliated with a 25% tariff on over $100 billion of U.S. goods.
As the situation continues to develop, Trudeau is urging Canadians to reconsider cross-border travel plans, suggesting consider vacationing within their own country.
“Now is the time to choose Canada,” Trudeau said. “It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.”
The situation remains fluid, with a 30-day window for negotiations potentially reshaping the trade and tourism landscape between the U.S. and Canada.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/02/05/94176-new-tariffs-could-impact-canadian-tourism-to-las-vegas-warns-us-travel-association
