Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World, has been a major tourist destination for decades. With its vibrant nightlife, luxurious hotels, world-class restaurants, and endless entertainment options, it’s no surprise that millions of people flock to Sin City every year.
But in recent times, there has been a lot of speculation about whether or not tourism is up in Las Vegas. Let’s take a closer look.
Pre-pandemic tourism numbers
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Las Vegas was experiencing record-breaking tourism numbers. In 2019 alone, over 42 million people visited the city, generating a whopping $60 billion in economic activity. This made Las Vegas one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The impact of COVID-19 on tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on tourism worldwide, and Las Vegas was no exception. The city’s casinos were forced to shut down for several months in 2020 to prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, many tourists canceled their trips to Las Vegas and opted for stay-at-home orders instead.
Reopening and recovery
In June 2020, Las Vegas began to reopen its casinos and hotels with strict safety guidelines and protocols in place. While this was certainly good news for the city’s economy and workforce, it did not immediately translate into an uptick in tourism numbers.
Current state of tourism
As of August 2021, tourism in Las Vegas is slowly but surely making a comeback. While visitor volume is still below pre-pandemic levels, there has been a steady increase in travelers over the past few months. According to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), over 1 million people visited Las Vegas in July 2021 alone.
The future of tourism in Las Vegas
While the current state of tourism in Las Vegas is promising, it’s still unclear what the future holds. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a threat to the city’s tourism industry, and many travelers are still hesitant to book trips due to safety concerns. However, with the widespread availability of vaccines and the gradual easing of travel restrictions, we can hope for a brighter future for Las Vegas tourism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while tourism in Las Vegas took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is slowly but surely making a comeback. With safety protocols in place and vaccines becoming more widely available, we can expect to see an uptick in visitor volume as time goes on. As always, Las Vegas remains one of the most exciting and vibrant tourist destinations in the world.