The Iconic Welcome to Las Vegas Sign (Photo: Wikipedia)
Las Vegas Isn’t Dead, Tourism Officials are Deaf
The ‘Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas’ Marketing Campaign Should Be Ejected Like Jalen Hill
By Megan Barth, September 5, 2025 9:59 am
“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” was a stroke of marketing genius that coined a slogan for a 24-hour adult playground known as “Sin City.” Yet, what happened in Vegas has caused travelers to stay away this summer, leaving many so-called “experts” to blame everything but the obvious.
For reference, data from July 2024-2025 shows that Las Vegas visitation is down 12 percent, international airport travelers fell 5.7 percent, overall traffic through Harry Reid International Airport dropped about four percent, and Labor Day weekend was expected to fall by ~6,000 visitors. Concerning, but far from a blood bath, especially when you consider that conventions are up 10.7 percent, state gambling revenues are still averaging over a billion dollars a month, Formula One returns to Las Vegas in November, and off-strip, non-union casinos are booming.
Expectedly, this soft summer slump has Las Vegas tourism officials, Democratic politicians, and authoritative no-names blaming: President Trump, tariffs, economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, aggressive immigration policies, strained international relations, increased tourist visa fees, and inflation (despite that inflation is at the lowest in 4 years).
What these talking heads fail to blame is the obvious gouging, nickle-and-diming, and the substantial decrease in quality service that tourists are subject to before and during their stay, and upon checking out. $30 cocktails, $26 bottles of water, $200 12-bottle buckets of domestic beer, $30 pancakes, $50 self parking, $50 minimum resort fees, numerous hotel bill taxes, additional service charges, increased union-labor costs, $25 minimum black jack tables, triple-zero roulette, and let’s not forget the outrageous $400-$600 weekend rates for a standard room. Check in lines to get into a room can be up to three hours or more and if you want to check in early, that will cost you $30-$60 extra.
Are we having fun yet?
To overcome the narrative that “Vegas is dead,” the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) went “all-in” on a new “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” marketing campaign that, according to feedback, is about as popular as a blackjack player splitting tens.
The 60-second ad, which premiered during last night’s Eagles-Cowboys game, should have been ejected from the start like Jalen Carter.
WATCH:
What did I just watch? Where’s the Strip? The resorts? The inside of any casino? Allegiant Stadium? T-Mobile Arena? The Bellagio Fountains? The Chandelier Bar? Circa’s Sport’s Book? Any iconic tourist attraction?
In a recent interview, LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill said he “doesn’t believe the narrative that Vegas is too expensive…Vegas is still a value.” Then instructs travelers to “do a little work” to find deals. If hubris pays to play, I fold.
But, his statement make sense when you consider that, despite the summer slump, Hill received a 9 percent pay raise in July, bumping his base compensation up to $539,550 and a bonus of up to $247,500. With scratch like that, he can afford unlimited plates of $30 pancakes and $250 buckets of beer for a hungover bachelor party.
Prior to LVCVA’s not-so-fabulous ad and its tone-deaf leadership, hotel operators on the Strip and Fremont Street began offering deals, returning to their value-based roots with offers like free parking, comped bottles of water in the hotel room, and package deals with discounted room rates, food credits, and free play–offers that once attracted visitors and locals.
Yesterday, Hill told News3 that the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” campaign marks a “turning point” that will “resonate around the country and world”, and will ultimately “change the economic trajectory, in partnership with the resorts, over the next few months.”
The ad is, indeed, resonating. One YouTube viewer noted, “Vegas still doesn’t get it.” Replace Vegas with LVCVA and the viewer hit a Royal Flush on this flop.
- Democrats Reintroduce the Dream Act - December 4, 2025
- Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Reaffirms ‘Nevada Will Never Be A Sanctuary State’ Under His Leadership - December 4, 2025
- California US Attorney Bill Essayli Shares FBI Link To Report ‘California State Officials Engaged in Illegal Activity’ - December 3, 2025
RELATED ARTICLES
-
-
November 2, 2020 -
You hit a 5 on a 16 Megan. The corporate entity that took over Vegas 35 years ago has steadily ruined the town. Couple that with the democrats strangle hold on the fun, Vegas is nothing but crime and greed.
I’ll take the town when the mob ran it. The days of free buffets, and they didn’t freak out if you won a couple bucks. Vegas is now just another democrat run dump.
Yep, I remember when the Frontier served an ice cold Heineken and Shrimp Cocktail on Thursdays for $1.50.
You must be mistaking me for someone who cares. Vegas is evil and the sooner it collapses the better.
I will be rooting for freedom for a person to spend their money how they see fit, not rooting for the collapse of free enterprise. Thank you for reading even though you claim not to care.
Gambling, human trafficking and drugs are the the definition of freedom for you?
Las Vegas forgot what the purpose of Las Vegas was, and that’s gambling. Instead they tacked on huge expenses for everything else, depleting the amount of money people have to gamble. Now the whole purpose of Las Vegas is lost. Add to that all the homeless people on the strip, and Las Vegas isn’t fun anymore.
The fact that Las Vegas has a Democrat mayor and a majority of the City Council are career Democrats probably doesn’t help? Is there any large city in the U.S. controlled by Democrats that hasn’t become a mess with crime and homelessness?
Mayor Shelley Berkley, Democrat, former U.S. Representative and elected Las Vegas mayor in 2024
(Ward 1): Brian Knudsen, Democrat, an out and loud member of the alphabet rainbow mafia who is married to his husband and has two adopted children.
(Ward 2): vacant
(Ward 3): Olivia Díaz, Democrat, former Democratic state assemblywoman
(Ward 4): Francis Allen-Palenske, Republican
(Ward 5) Shondra Summers-Armstrong, Democrat, former Democratic state assemblywoman
Nancy Brune (Ward 6), Democrat
The strip is really ruled by the Clark County Commissioners. The commission has been 7 democrats for decades, until this past election when April Becker (R) was elected. She is now the sole Republican voice on the commission. If you look at past commission elections, there were lawsuits filed by republicans to challenge the vote totals. Then candidate, now Lt. Gov Stavros Anthony “lost” his election by 10 votes. When Drew Johnson ran against Justin Jones, that call was less than 200 votes which were counted after election day.
There was an interview with Rick Harrison today. He said the same thing as the article. The casinos/hotels aren’t looking long term. They aren’t looking to have or keep repeat customers. His business in Vegas, he listens to the customers and changes up his stock, products to keep people coming in.
Our local and very large Indian casino is 99% full of what clearly look like hispanic men, dare I say they might all be illegals?. Period. No one else. They appeared very familiar with the place, and spent hours dropping cash and signing in on their house accounts. It was a grim, not joyful scene.
Lonely men with a place to go and while away their time while living in the shadows of their life in the US? I speculate only. But this was not a family friendly scene at all. I was surprised to see the concentrated demographics over the last holiday season. This casino is infamous for the amount of cash it brings in making members of this local Indian tribe beyond fabulously wealthy And significant players now in local political decisions.
Could the current deportation raids be also affecting the Las Vegas gambling crowds, if they have been attracting a similar demographic. While we are asked to use our tax dollars to support the basic living needs of 20 million recent illegal arrivals?. And the Indian casinos are laughing all the way to the bank. Who would look into this? Mainly to expose any improper social benefits awarded based upon “poverty”.
Indian tribes spent over 3 billion dollars to purchase 3 Las Vegas casinos in the past few years. It was a first for the tribes to enter into Las Vegas. The deportation raids will impact the Culinary Union who now have 100% control of the Las Vegas Strip. Yet another reason why service is poor and prices are high.
Vegas reminds me of the Democrats. They love to jump in on the easy money until they greedily suck all the life out of it. Vegas has become so overtaxed and regulated that it’s no longer worth it!
1) Vegas is gross
2) Most people are socially unaware and rude
Put those two together in 2025 and this is what you get…
I stayed at a large Vegas casino hotel before for a wedding and must write that the front exterior, a unpainted multi level concrete parking lot looked Soviet designed. I thought, where are we, Beirut?
Not long afterward, on the same property, a criminal mass murder incident occurred.
Las Vegas got on the “World Destination” kick and aligned their prices to match, and then laid out menus with overpriced dishes only heiresses have heard of. Each iteration of a bigger and better salad caused normal people to shrug and leave.
Lastly the new slot machines are somewhat complicated and hard to figure out as the Old Dame of one Handle Pull explained in expletives: “I bet how much?”
In short the slots suck, the foods suck, and the atmosphere is dour. Roulette I hear has a “triple ott”! Next will be 21 with a ten handicap for the dealer!
Rooms are too expensive, usually un remodeled since the last owner went under. Now they want valet rates when you park your own car to prime you for Michelin prices for a burger, fries, and a Coke. In short, they want all of your money before you walk in through the Big Glass Doors.
Pretty soon they will be kissing the but’s of the $10 bettor who stays at the Best Western down the street.
Vegas is run by organized crime. It is a cesspool of human trafficking and drugs. The author seems to think this is freedom. Illegal immigration robs citizens of jobs. Is this OK?
THE ONLY FUN in Vegas — all casinos, really — is refusing to tip…for anything…ever. The reactions from the unionized labor is than any comedy show on the strip. If they’re gonna boff you and laugh at the same time, at least get a little something for your money. DON’T TIP and record the reactions, show on YT.