For the Fourth of July weekend, Las Vegas anticipates fewer guests and visitors, and hotel occupancies will be slightly less as well. Las Vegas expects around 340K visitors this year, less than a year ago with 344K. But there is light at the end of the rainbow, as experts project that visitors will spend more in 2025 than last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Las Vegas is bracing for a slightly quieter Independence Day weekend in 2025, as projections from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority suggest a dip in both visitor numbers and hotel occupancy compared to last year. According to Kevin Bagger, Director of the LVCVA Research Center, an estimated 340,000 people are expected to visit Las Vegas over the three-day holiday weekend, down from 344,000 during the 2024 Fourth of July period.
The hotel occupancy rate is also forecast to drop slightly, from 94.4% last year to 93.1% this year. The number of available hotel rooms has also decreased by 0.9%, with 150,909 rooms open to guests this year compared to the previous total in 2024.
Interestingly, despite a three-day weekend - with July 4 falling on a Friday this year, in contrast to a Thursday last year - the draw to Las Vegas appears slightly diminished. Bagger attributes this to ongoing market volatility and shifting travel patterns among consumers.
Spending up, but overall economic impact slightly down
While visitor numbers and hotel stays are trending downward, direct visitor spending is set to rise due to increased costs for goods and services. The LVCVA forecasts spending of $449.5 million for the weekend, up 3.7% from the $433.5 million recorded last year.
However, that increase in individual spending won't be enough to boost the wider economic effect. The total economic impact for the weekend is expected to drop by 0.2%, falling to $715.7 million. Experts suggest that a mix of global and domestic economic uncertainties - including tariffs, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and inflation - continue to influence consumer behavior in complex ways.
"We have been seeing volatility for the last several years, and its impact on consumers has been mixed," said associate professor Amanda Bellarmino at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality.
Gas prices and lower crime rates boost travel appeal
On a more encouraging note for American travelers, gasoline prices are about 30 cents per gallon lower than they were a year ago, easing one of the key cost burdens for road trippers. Additionally, national grocery price trends show slight declines, and inflation appears to be cooling.
"For the average consumer, stock market volatility is not always indicative of spending habits," Bellarmino noted. "But with decreased crime rates and the lowest murder rate in four years, domestic destinations (like Las Vegas) are more attractive to many consumers than they have been in the past few years."
One clear win for travelers is the drop in hotel prices across Las Vegas. A room-rate survey found that prices during the holiday weekend are closer to typical monthly averages than those usually seen during long weekends. For instance, the average rate for a room in downtown Vegas was $114.20 per night, while the average across all Southern Nevada properties was $202.75. For comparison, July's average daily citywide rate last year was $175.64, with downtown properties averaging $61.54.
Luxury resorts still commanded premium rates, with Durango surprisingly topping the chart at $474 per night - more expensive than Bellagio, Wynn, Caesars Palace, and other high-end Strip properties. Meanwhile, 22 hotels across the region offered rooms under $100 a night, with the Thunderbird posting the lowest at $61.
Las Vegas still a top destination
Despite the modest dip in projected visitation, Las Vegas remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Fourth of July celebrations. WalletHub ranked the city as the No. 1 destination for the holiday, just ahead of Los Angeles and New York City.
The ranking considered factors such as affordability, number of events, safety, and accessibility. Las Vegas scored particularly high in the number of celebrations - second only to Orlando - thanks to a slate of fireworks shows from major resorts and local community events.
Other Nevada cities also appeared in WalletHub's rankings, with North Las Vegas at No. 32, Reno at No. 48, and Henderson at No. 64. Even with fewer visitors expected this year, Las Vegas's holiday charm, affordability, and entertainment offerings continue to make it a hotspot for July 4 travelers.