Las Vegas depends on Canadian visitors more than any other international market. When that market pulled back, the city felt it immediately. In fiscal 2025, Canadian visits dropped 18% compared with the prior year, a decline of roughly 250,000 trips.
Several factors drove the downturn. The Canadian dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar, and political friction between the two countries discouraged some travelers. President Trump posted on Truth Social that "WE DON'T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!"
Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, acknowledged the problem. "This is a very, very important market for us," he said. The slowdown led the LVCVA to eliminate about 100 jobs.
The loss was especially visible because Canadian travelers had become a reliable source of demand for the city's hotels and attractions. The LVCVA's later marketing push and the resorts' discount offers are aimed at rebuilding that base.
Casino operators are responding with direct financial incentives. Circa Resorts is now accepting Canadian dollars at par with U.S. dollars at its downtown properties. Normally, one Canadian dollar buys about 72 U.S. cents, so the 1-to-1 rate effectively discounts every purchase.
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In addition, Canadian guests receive a $75 daily resort credit at Circa, with rooms starting at $129 a night. The promotion requires booking by August 31 for stays completed by September 28. Together, these offers amount to savings of roughly 35% off standard rates.
The response has been strong. Canadian visitors have taken advantage of the deal in significant numbers, with about 75,000 guests using the promotion so far. The city expects the momentum to continue through the rest of 2026.
MGM Resorts is taking a similar approach at its Las Vegas properties. CEO Bill Hornbuckle said Canadians are essential to the resort corridor. "We're making it easy for Canadians to see the value," he said.
Luxor and Excalibur now offer a two-night package at $330 that includes meals and other perks. The package is designed to give Canadian visitors a predictable price before exchange rates eat into their budgets.
Air Canada has also joined the effort. The airline is offering 35% off select flight-and-hotel packages to Las Vegas, with deals available at 35 properties including The Venetian, Caesars Palace, and Bellagio. The promotion runs through September 28.
Early signs suggest the strategy is working. By January 2026, Canadian visits were up 4% from the same month a year earlier. The LVCVA has committed $15 million to a marketing campaign aimed at Canadian travelers, focusing on British Columbia.
The recent promotions are meant to restore a relationship that had been strong before the slump. The LVCVA's marketing campaign and the resorts' discounts are designed to bring back travelers who had stayed away.
The recovery is not uniform across the city. MGM reports that luxury properties like Bellagio continue to perform well, with guests booking around major events such as Formula 1. The deals are aimed at the mid-market travelers who stayed home during the downturn.
For Canadians considering a trip, the timing is favorable. The dollar-for-dollar exchange rate, combined with resort credits and airline discounts, makes Las Vegas more affordable than it has been in years. The question is how long these promotions will last once normal travel patterns return.
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