“Las Vegas is empty”: Viral video sparks alarming questions about US tourism decline

“Las Vegas is empty”: Viral video sparks alarming questions about US tourism decline

A city famed for its glittering nightlife, packed casinos, and buzzing airport terminals is now at the centre of a tourism slowdown. A viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter) shows a shockingly empty Harry Reid International Airport, prompting fresh questions over the health of tourism in the United States.

The video was shared by tourist Jake Broe, who wrote: “Las Vegas is dead. I’ve never seen the parking garage at the airport this empty.” Shot around 6 AM on a Friday, the footage shows deserted hallways, no queues, and barely any staff or passengers in sight. Broe, boarding a United Airlines flight, added, “The plane was less than a third full. I had an entire row to myself for probably the first time since I was a teenager.”

Las Vegas is dead. I have never seen the parking garage at the airport this empty and I did not see another person until I made it to the TSA PreCheck line in the terminal. pic.twitter.com/gp2lG3qsRn

— Jake Broe (@RealJakeBroe) August 2, 2025

Slump in Vegas Numbers

The viral moment comes on the heels of an official report by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which noted a 6.5% drop in hotel occupancy and a fall in average room rates from $194 to $163. Even more alarming was a 41% year-over-year decline in traffic at Harry Reid Airport, according to the same report.

Netizens Respond: ‘The Hassle Isn’t Worth It’

Broe’s post triggered a wave of responses, echoing concerns about the overall decline in US tourism. One user commented, “Florida has fewer out-of-state plates and far less international tourists. My Australian friends have switched to Japan over the USA for vacations. We’re just not worth the hassle anymore.”

Another remarked on the increasingly tough visa and immigration processes: “The immigration in your country humiliates tourists in every possible way.” Others cited high visa fees, unpredictable rejections, and exaggerated law enforcement actions, including fears of ICE detentions, as reasons for avoiding the US.

Several users also blamed overpriced accommodations and attractions in cities like Las Vegas, which they say have “driven the core tourist base away.”

Skepticism and Alternate Views

Not everyone agreed with Broe’s video. Some suggested the footage was taken earlier than 6 AM and during an off-season time of year. “Odd travel hours and summer heat could explain the empty halls,” one user speculated.

A Bigger Problem for the US?

According to a World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report cited by Forbes, the United States is the only country seeing a decline in international visitors in 2025. The Trump administration’s tariffs, travel bans, and inflammatory rhetoric, coupled with strict immigration policies, are being blamed for this shift.

The Tourism Economics agency has revised its projections, estimating an 8.2% decline in international inbound travel to the US in 2025. Canadian travellers, who previously accounted for nearly 25% of foreign tourist spending in the US, have also dropped off significantly—by nearly 40% in 2024 alone.

Hope on the Horizon?

While recent trends and numbers paint a gloomy picture, experts in the hospitality sector are cautiously optimistic. They believe easing visa rules, improving international relations, and offering better travel incentives could help bring back global tourists to American cities like Las Vegas.

But for now, the sight of empty planes and quiet terminals in one of the world’s most visited destinations serves as a stark reminder: America’s tourism charm might be fading, at least for international visitors.