Las Vegas is rolling out the red carpet for Canadian visitors as Trump's escalating trade war threatens to deepen a tourism slump - with hotels offering special deals and tourism bosses making a direct appeal to travel agents.
The casino capital has a particularly big stake in repairing relations with its northern neighbour, which has traditionally been Las Vegas' biggest international source of visitors.
Canadian arrivals plunged more than 17 percent in 2025, with around 1.2 million Canadians visiting the destination compared with nearly 1.5 million the previous year, according to preliminary figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
That meant roughly a quarter of a million fewer Canadian visitors - and with tensions between the two neighbors flaring once again, Las Vegas is worried that the slump could worsen.
President Donald Trump escalated his trade war on Monday by threatening to raise tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel to 50 percent from January 1, 2027.
He also took aim at Canada on Truth Social, declaring: 'WE DON'T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!'
That is hardly the sort of message likely to encourage Canadians to spend their vacation dollars in the US.
For Las Vegas, however, the response has been decidedly different.
Las Vegas is rolling out the red carpet for Canadian visitors as Trump's escalating trade war threatens to deepen a tourism slump
'We're here to make sure you know that we care about Canada,' LVCVA president and CEO Steve Hill told Canadian travel advisors during a sales mission to Western Canada this month.
'We know that Canada loves Las Vegas. We love Canada right back!' he added.
The three-stop mission took the Vegas tourism delegation to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, where it met with around 100 travel agents and sought to rebuild relationships with the people selling trips to the destination.
The message was simple: Canadians are wanted in Vegas.
And hotels are putting their money where their mouths are. Since January, Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino have been running their 'Vegas At Par' promotion, effectively giving eligible Canadian visitors a one-to-one exchange rate on selected hotel, gaming and beverage offers.
That means C$1 can be treated as US$1 on qualifying purchases, rather than being converted at the prevailing exchange rate. The promotion runs through August 31.
The campaign appears to have made a significant splash.
The three properties reported more than 75,000 Canadian visits, over $15 million in slot coin-in and more than 7,500 hotel room nights generated through the promotion since its launch.
The deal even includes a discounted helicopter ride over the Strip. Canadian visitors can currently book Circa's Strip Highlights Tour with Papillon Helicopters for $75, plus a $5 fuel surcharge, compared with the regular $129 price.
Canadian arrivals plunged by 17.4 percent in 2025, with around 1.2 million Canadians visiting the destination compared with nearly 1.45 million the previous year, according to preliminary figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
According to Travel Press, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has generated around $3.2 billion for the local economy over its first three years
It's a striking attempt to overcome one of the biggest barriers for Canadian travelers: the exchange rate. And Circa is not alone in trying to tempt visitors with value.
MGM Resorts International has been pushing packages at properties including Luxor and Excalibur, with an all-inclusive deal starting at $330 for two people, covering accommodation, meals and entertainment.
MGM CEO and president Bill Hornbuckle also used the Canadian sales mission to deliver his own message.
'We want to remind our friends in Canada that we're still here, and we understand the concerns they have, but we're continuing to make the city better every day,' he said.
'We want to welcome them back as soon as they're ready to come.'
There are signs that Vegas is increasingly relying on big events and wealthier travelers to help cushion the impact of the wider decline.
Hornbuckle said MGM was seeing improvement among higher-end visitors motivated by major events such as Formula 1.
That is particularly important as the Las Vegas Grand Prix has become a major draw, while the city continues to expand its sports and entertainment offering.
According to Travel Press, the Formula 1 race has generated around $3.2 billion for the local economy over its first three years, while tickets to the 2026 event can be found for as little as $81 for a day ticket.
MGM CEO and president Bill Hornbuckle said: 'We want to remind our friends in Canada that we're still here, and we understand the concerns they have, but we're continuing to make the city better every day'
President Donald Trump escalated the trade fight on Monday by threatening to raise tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel to 50 percent from January 1, 2027
But Las Vegas is not simply trying to lure wealthy gamblers back.
The city is now pitching concerts, sports, restaurants, conventions, nightlife and road trips alongside its casinos - potentially giving Canadian visitors more reasons to return even as political tensions remain high.
Air Canada is also getting involved, offering 35 percent off selected Las Vegas flight-and-hotel packages through September 28, with participating properties including The Venetian, Caesars Palace and Bellagio.
For Vegas tourism officials, getting Canadian travel advisors back onside is crucial. The recent sales mission was designed not simply to advertise discounts but to remind agents of what else Nevada can offer.
With Canadian travelers increasingly booking trips only 10 to 45 days before departure, hotels and travel companies have a relatively short window in which to convince them to make the journey.
The timing could hardly be more challenging. The latest tariff escalation has added another layer to already simmering political tensions, with Canada preparing retaliatory tariffs of its own.
Yet Vegas is clearly betting that the relationship with Canadian travelers can survive the politics.
After all, the destination still attracted almost 1.2 million Canadian visitors in 2025, making Canada one of its most important international markets despite the steep decline.
