If you’ve ever wandered down the Las Vegas Strip on a weekend, you know the vibe: blinding neon lights, clinking slot machines, and a crowd that feels like it’s one tequila shot away from making questionable life decisions. But lately? Vegas feels more like a ghost town than the party capital of the world.
Seriously—locals are starting to freak out.
“Where is everyone?”
A viral thread on social media shows empty resorts, quiet casinos, and streets that used to be packed with tourists now eerily calm. It’s the kind of quiet that doesn’t feel peaceful… it feels weird.
“I’ve been working here for years, and I’ve never seen it like this,” one hospitality worker posted on X (formerly Twitter). “No one’s tipping. No one's even here.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, tips for Vegas service workers are down by as much as 50%. That’s a brutal hit—especially in a city where tips often make or break your rent payment.
No Tax on Tips? Great. No Tourists? Not So Much.
You’d think Nevada’s new “no tax on tips” law would be a win for local workers—and it is, technically. But as tattoo artist Charlie Mungo told the Journal, “It doesn’t really do us much good if there isn’t anyone to get tips from.”
Charlie says about 30% of his clients used to be Canadian tourists. But now? Crickets. He’s not alone. Many Vegas businesses are reporting a sharp drop in Canadian visitors, and it’s not just a random travel slump—it’s political.
Enter: Tariffs, Tension, and a Tourism Boycott
Remember when President Trump slapped a 25% tariff on Canadian imports? Yeah, Canadians do too. And in response, some are choosing to skip their usual Vegas vacation and spend their travel dollars elsewhere.
As a Canadian friend told me last week, “Why would I spend money in a country that’s jacking up prices on our goods and services?” Hard to argue with that logic.
So... Should You Still Visit Vegas?
Look, if you’ve ever wanted to do a Vegas trip without the crowds—or snag a good hotel deal—now might be the time. Less foot traffic could mean cheaper rooms, shorter wait times, and more attention from staff who are genuinely happy to see you.
But if you're in the hospitality business in Vegas right now? It's rough out there. People are trying to stay optimistic, but there’s a quiet anxiety hanging in the air.
“We’re all starting to freak out,” Charlie said. And honestly? I don’t blame him.
TL;DR
Tourism in Vegas is way down—locals are calling it a “ghost town.”
Tips for service workers have plummeted by up to 50%.
A Canadian tourism boycott (linked to U.S. tariffs) is making things worse.
Nevada’s no-tax-on-tips law is nice—but useless if there are no tourists.
If you're a traveler looking for a quieter, cheaper Vegas? This might be your moment.
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