Las Vegas is rolling out an ambitious marketing campaign, dubbed the "Welcome to Fabulous" initiative. As part of this campaign, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) orchestrated a citywide sale that took place from September 22 to 26, offering substantial discounts across hotels, restaurants, shows, and attractions. This collaborative effort marks a significant strategy to boost tourism in the city.
During the sale, more than 100 deals were available, including a remarkable 50% off stays at five Caesars Entertainment hotels and nine MGM Resorts International properties. Guests could also enjoy 20% off rooms at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, coupled with waived resort fees, free parking, and a $50 daily food and beverage credit. Further attractions included $50 tickets to select shows at Caesars, 20% off tickets to "Awakening" at Wynn Las Vegas, and $55 admission to two MGM attractions, such as the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York and the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay and the Play Playground at Luxor, providing enticing options for potential visitors.
All deals were highlighted on the Visit Las Vegas website, serving as a central hub for information and ongoing promotions as the LVCVA’s partners explore future opportunities. "The response has been overwhelmingly successful," stated Kate Wik, the chief marketing officer of LVCVA. She reported significant increases in website traffic and referral volume to partner sites, even attracting interest from potential visitors in key international markets.
Wik emphasized the importance of agility in the city’s marketing strategies, stating, "One of the city’s greatest strengths is its ability to stay ahead of the curve by remaining nimble and responding quickly to feedback." She indicated that if guests and partners see continued value in such initiatives, they will consider executing them again.
Despite these proactive measures, Las Vegas continues to experience a downturn in visitor numbers. Recent figures from LVCVA reveal that the city welcomed 3.2 million visitors in August, a 6.7% decline compared to the previous year. For the first eight months of 2025, overall visitation is down roughly 7.8%, totaling 25.8 million visitors.
The hotel industry is feeling the pinch as well, with hotel occupancy rates dropping 3% year-over-year and average daily room rates experiencing a 5.4% decline. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) has decreased by 8.8% during the first eight months of the year. Similarly, passenger counts at Harry Reid Airport have fallen 4.5% thus far. However, there is a silver lining as convention attendance has seen a slight uptick of 0.5%, and gross gaming revenue increased by 1.2% compared to the same period last year.
As Las Vegas endeavors to revitalize its tourism sector through initiatives like the "Welcome to Fabulous" campaign and strategic discounts, the focus remains on adapting to changing visitor patterns and responding to market demands.
