Tourism has been on the decline in Las Vegas, and Northern Nevada is seeing a similar trend.

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) said the region saw a small decrease in hotel occupancy and revenue in July and August. 

President and CEO Mike Larragueta said RSCVA just received the numbers for the last two months, so specific figures are not yet available. In spite of the dips, the group said it outperformed its budget in this time period.

Larragueta says one of the region's advantages in tourism is the visitors from the west.

"We look at it as being predominantly a dried market, and over 50% of our visitation coming from next door in the state of California is definitely advantageous for us here in Reno-Tahoe," he said.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto says Nevada is not alone in the tourism dip.

At a press conference with the Culinary Workers Union on Monday afternoon, she says blanket tariffs are having a negative impact on both local and national tourism.

"What we're seeing is the hospitality industry and tourism and travel nationally," she said. "It is struggling because this administration has implemented erratic blanket tariffs."

Cortez Masto says the tariffs have discouraged tourists from other North American countries.

"The number of visitors to Nevada alone from Canada has declined by more than 18% from this time last year," she says.

In a statement, White House Spokeswoman Victoria LaCivita said the following in response to Senator Cortez Masto's press conference:

“During the first six months of President Trump’s term, international visitors spent a new record of $126.9 billion on US travel and tourism-related goods and services. The President’s America First agenda of deregulation, working-class tax cuts, and new trade deals is why inflation has fallen, real wages are steadily increasing, and retail sales are booming. Nevadans will benefit more than any other state from the President’s No Tax on Tips Policy, and see their wages increase up to $6,700 over the next four years with an average tax cut of $4,220 this year. This same economic agenda ushered in historic job, wage, and economic growth in President Trump’s first term, and as trillions in investments continue flowing into the U.S., Nevadans can be rest assured that the best is yet to come.”

Cortez Masto responded to the comments from the White House on X.

"The Trump White House‘s response to an 18% drop in visitors from Canada and an 11% drop overall is for us to ignore our own eyes," she said. "Nevadans can see what’s happening loud and clear. His policies are hurting our tourism economy and our workers."

For local tourism, Larragueta said he's optimistic about the start of next year.

The Reno-Sparks Convention Center will host the American Bus Association Marketplace for the first time from January 10 to 13. The RSCVA anticipates over 10,000 room nights from this event. And in February, the United States Bowling Congress returns to the National Bowling Stadium for the Open Championships that run until July.

Larragueta says he expects this event to bring in a lot of economic impact.

"We're looking at north of $450,000, over 100,000 room nights, and an estimated economic impact of over $80 million," he says.

The CEO added he's looking forward to the economic impacts that will come from the new arena at the Grand Sierra Resort upon completion.