Canadian Boycott of Las Vegas Becomes an Issue in Nevada Elections
The decline in the number of Canadians traveling to Las Vegas due to U.S. President Donald Trump's policies toward Canada has become a major point of discussion in Nevada's elections.
As the number of Canadians traveling to Las Vegas continues to drop following U.S. President Donald Trump's trade wars and attacks against Canada, this tourism slump has become a key agenda item in Nevada's midterm elections.
Decline in Canadian Tourists Continues
The decrease in visitors from Canada, Nevada's largest source of international tourists, is directly impacting tourism data across Las Vegas.
While visitor numbers, airport arrivals, and hotel occupancy rates declined in August, casino executives point to the Canadian boycott as one of the primary reasons for the weak demand.
Political Debates on the Election Agenda
Nevada Democrats are attempting to turn this decline to their advantage, linking the situation to Trump's trade war and threats against Canada.
Democratic party officials and the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 are connecting the tourism crisis to local Trump allies in the state, such as Republican Governor Joe Lombardo.
Unemployment and the Plight of Hotel Workers
Nevada's unemployment rate continues to remain among the highest in the entire United States.
Due to this slowdown in the tourism sector, hospitality workers are facing severe economic issues such as shift cuts and reduced working hours.