Las Vegas tourism shows no signs of slowing down, and Canadians are leading the way.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) on 20FEB released its 2023 Q4 Tourism Report, showing the destination’s popularity as a travel destination among Canadians.
Canadian tourism in Las Vegas is the highest it’s been since pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In 2023, there were more than 1.4M Canadians who travelled to Las Vegas. That’s up more than 60% from 2022 and ever-so-slightly below 2019 numbers.
Here are figures for the last few years for Canadian visits:
- 2019: 1,480,000
- 2020: 289,000
- 2021: 155,080
- 2022: 885,610
- 2023: 1,419,050
Canadians make up almost 30% of international visitors to the destination, with Mexico in second at 23%.
LVCVA figures on arriving passengers from out of the country show that Canadian airports make up three of the top five source markets for Vegas visitation, and five of the top eight.
Leading the way for 2022 was Toronto Pearson Airport, with nearly 198,000 passengers heading to Vegas. Second was London Heathrow with 176,000, followed by Mexico City at 170,000.
In fourth place was Vancouver International (135,000), followed by Calgary (131,000). Edmonton was seventh at 65,000, with Montreal eighth at 57,000 departing passengers.
For Las Vegas as a whole in 2023, the total number of visitors was 40,829,900. That’s just slightly below the 2019, pre-pandemic figure of 42,523,700.
The hotel occupancy rate for the year was 83.5%, with an average daily room rate of $192.29 USD.
One of the swimming pools at the Park MGM in Las Vegas. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Las Vegas promises to give any type of traveller the experience of a lifetime, with new and impressive culinary delights, shows and properties. Here are a few that are currently capturing Canadian hearts:
Pristine Properties & Star-Studded Shows
- Fontainebleau Las Vegas: Completed in December 2023, the new resort’s thoughtful design allows guests to move effortlessly among 3,644 luxury hotel rooms and suites, 550,000 square feet of customizable meeting and convention space, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, a collection of world-class restaurants and shops, exquisite pools, vibrant nightlife, and vitality-enhancing spa and wellness offerings. Upcoming residencies include Tiësto (Jan-Nov 2024) and Calvin Harris (Feb-Dec 2024).
- Shania Twain ‘Come on Over’ at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino: Canadian-icon and top-selling female country artist of all-time is returning to the Las Vegas Strip. Shania Twain is bringing her ‘Come on Over’ residency to Planet Hollywood beginning May 2024, with tickets on sale now.
New in Culinary & Mixology
- La Fontaine at Fontainebleau Las Vegas: Located on the resort’s Bleau Galerie level, La Fontaine’s all-new dinner menu, conceived by Executive Chef Laetitia Rouabah, combines French sophistication with diverse flavours, and showcases communal options that reflect the restaurant’s commitment to market-fresh cuisine.
- Ole Red Las Vegas in the Grand Bazaar Shops: Ole Red Las Vegas is now open and features three interior bars, a rooftop bar, two stages, a 16-feet-wide by 37-feet-high LED video wall, a retail area, and a VIP experience with event space for groups. The venue showcases live music with state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting for a concert-quality music experience seven days a week.
- Luchini Italian Restaurant at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino: Tao Group Hospitality has opened a new destination for Italian dining and imbibing at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Luchini offers a refreshing take on a classic Italian American restaurant inspired by the flavours of New York, while the Chez Bippy speakeasy serves up craft cocktails.
