In The News: William F. Harrah College of Hospitality

Travel Weekly

Final 2025 numbers are in and confirm what Las Vegas tourism officials could see coming for most of the past year -- a grinding halt to the steady increase in visitation to the destination since the pandemic.

AAA Magazine

Travelers trying to pick a hotel these days face a veritable galaxy of ratings. Savvy vacationers should know where stars, diamonds, and other designations originate—and how to best use them to their advantage when booking their next stay.

KSNV-TV: News 3

Las Vegas is gearing up for a tourism resurgence in 2026, driven by a robust lineup of conventions and events. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the city hosted approximately 38.3 million visitors between January and November 2025, marking a 7% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. However, optimism is high for a rebound.

Trends

With a new Consumer Electronics Show, the world's eyes are once again on Las Vegas. But the sinful desert city is no longer the same: in 2025, almost all success indicators—from visitor numbers to incoming flights—were downgraded.

La Discussione

From the streets of Paris, made iconic by Emily in Paris, to the landscapes of New Zealand in The Lord of the Rings, film tourism in search of the most famous film locations has become one of the most significant tourism phenomena in recent years. More and more travelers are planning vacations inspired by films and TV series, driven by the desire to experience the beloved stories on screen firsthand. From economic opportunities, immersive experiences, and side effects like overtourism, film tourism illustrates the profound emotional connection between audiovisual storytelling, real places, and the collective imagination.

Nevada Independent

 

Santa Claus has long called the North Pole home. But let’s be honest — 24 hours of darkness and subfreezing winter temperatures aren’t the most conducive to making toys. His workforce, including the reindeer, are aging, and in an era of fast-moving technology and rapid shipping, the North Pole isn’t necessarily a transportation hub.

 

Phys.org

While diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) regulations are widely accepted in the hospitality and tourism sector, new research shows applicants may still encounter barriers to securing roles because of automated processes on job sites.

KSNV-TV: News 3

Several casinos outside the Las Vegas Strip are expanding their properties despite a tourism slump in the city. These casinos report increased visits from outside the area, prompting them to label themselves "hybrid" resorts.

Las Vegas Weekly

The puck is about to drop for a Tuesday evening Vegas Golden Knights game, and the Durango Casino and Resort parking lot is filling up quickly underneath the glow of a 130-foot-tall marquee promising $3 shots and beers. Inside, beyond the bustling baccarat tables, a longtime local named Patricia Moore adjusts her Vegas Golden Knights cap as her husband, John, places his bets.

The Drinks Business

According to research from WalletHub, which compared the 100 biggest cities across 26 key metrics it is possible to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a whole host of nightlife options and still have an incredible time. The data set ranges from the legality of fireworks and the nightlife options per capita to food affordability and forecasted precipitation for the 31 December.

WalletHub

Times Square might be the most famous destination in the U.S. for ringing in the new year, but it's also extremely expensive. Local businesses in NYC – and many other famous locales across the U.S. – are notorious for hiking up their prices when big crowds are in town for a major event. That’s especially true for hotels, which can experience price increases of several hundred percent over the rest of the year. The last thing you want to do in the final hours of 2025 is wreck your finances over one night of festivities.

Las Vegas Review Journal

No one would have expected back in 1985 that the National Finals Rodeo would be the massive success that it has become. But now, 40 years later, it’s one of the toughest tickets to get, and what is considered the Super Bowl of rodeos is primed to extend its record of 379 consecutive sell-out performances with 10 nights of competition Thursday through Dec. 13 at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.