MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle just slammed the brakes on social media claims that Las Vegas is pricing out tourists and dying as a destination. Speaking at a major conference, he highlighted an 8% drop in visitors this year but insisted the city’s core strength remains rock solid. What sparked his bold defense, and could a rebound be on the horizon?
Hornbuckle Tackles Tourism Slump Head-On
Bill Hornbuckle, the top boss at MGM Resorts International, took center stage Thursday at the Bank of America Securities 2025 Gaming and Lodging Conference in New York City. He directly addressed the wave of online gripes saying Las Vegas visitors feel gouged by high costs.
The city’s tourism has dipped 8% so far in 2025, with a sharper 12% decline in July alone, according to recent reports from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This marks seven straight months of falling visitor numbers, fueling talks of a broader U.S. travel slowdown.
Hornbuckle didn’t sugarcoat the numbers. He pointed to economic pressures like inflation and high prices pushing some travelers away. Yet, he stressed that Las Vegas isn’t crumbling.
In his view, the drop stems from short-term factors, not a fatal flaw in the city’s appeal.
He shared optimism for the fall season and into 2026, predicting a shift in perceptions as events and deals draw crowds back.
Why Social Media Is Buzzing About a ‘Dead’ Vegas
Social media has lit up with frustration over Las Vegas. Users complain about resort fees, parking charges, and pricey buffets that once felt like bargains.
One viral post noted an 11% revenue drop signaling recession risks, while others blame homelessness and pot smoke on the Strip for scaring off families.
Hornbuckle pushed back hard. “The fundamentals of Las Vegas are strong,” he said during the conference.
He argued that while visitor counts are down, gaming revenue climbed 5.6% in July, even if it dipped 9% without baccarat’s boost.
This mixed picture shows bigger spenders are still coming, betting more despite fewer overall tourists.
Hotel occupancy fell 17% in July, and average daily rates dropped too. But Hornbuckle sees promise in sports tourism and conventions.
For everyday travelers, this debate hits home. If costs keep rising, weekend getaways might feel out of reach, hurting local jobs tied to tourism.
Strategies to Revive the Strip’s Spark
MGM isn’t sitting idle. Hornbuckle outlined plans to boost growth, like leaning on premium guests and new partnerships.
A key move: Teaming up with Marriott Bonvoy to attract loyalty program members with better perks.
He’s also eyeing diversification beyond Vegas, with eyes on international spots like Dubai and Japan.
Back home, conventions could be the savior. Las Vegas bets big on meetings to offset leisure dips, with data from Skift showing an 11.3% visitor fall in June but steady event demand.
Here’s a quick look at recent tourism trends:
- Visitor volume: Down 8% year-to-date in 2025
- July specifics: 12% drop, losing about 2 million tourists overall
- Gaming wins: Up 5.6% in July, driven by high-rollers
- Hotel stats: Occupancy at 83%, average rate $185 per night
This table breaks down the numbers simply:
| Metric | 2025 Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors | -8% YTD | Seven-month streak |
| July Visitors | -12% | Sharpest monthly fall |
| Gaming Revenue | +5.6% in July | Boost from baccarat |
| Occupancy | -17% in July | Rooms sitting empty |
Hornbuckle believes these tweaks will restore the city’s vibe.
He extended his own contract through 2028, signaling confidence in MGM’s path.
For readers planning trips, this means watching for deals as casinos fight to fill rooms.
Broader Impacts on U.S. Travel and Economy
The Vegas slump isn’t isolated. Hornbuckle noted a nationwide travel slowdown, with people cutting back on vacations amid recession fears.
Data from WebProNews shows Las Vegas tourism fell 7% early in 2025 due to inflation and high costs, echoing trends in places like New York and Seattle.
If Vegas, often called the canary in the coal mine for consumer spending, keeps struggling, it could warn of bigger economic troubles ahead.
This affects not just gamblers but workers in hospitality, where jobs depend on steady crowds.
Hornbuckle remains upbeat, citing solid convention bookings and events like sports tournaments for 2026.
Yet, critics on platforms like X argue greed from big players like MGM and Caesars is the real culprit, with fees creating a monopoly feel.
Travelers might shift to cheaper spots like Miami, as some podcasts suggest.
In the end, Hornbuckle’s fight-back message aims to flip the narrative from doom to opportunity.
