Trump Administration's Impact on Tourism Described as "Devastating" by Nevada Senator Cortez Masto
In a recent statement, US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has expressed her concerns about the impact of the Trump administration's policies on the travel and tourism sector, particularly in Nevada.
The travel industry, which supports over 15 million jobs in the United States, is fundamental to Nevada's economy. In February, consumer spending on air travel and hotels dropped 10% and 6% from the previous year, respectively, indicating a potential slowdown in the sector.
Senator Cortez Masto claims that the travel industry is already experiencing softer demand for domestic travel "amid shaky economic conditions." She has written letters to several key Cabinet members, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting information on how the administration is mitigating the economic stress being levied on tourism.
In Nevada, the latest Las Vegas Strip room survey conducted by Truist Securities shows that room bookings remain stable as of now. However, Senator Cortez Masto believes that hotel room bookings are softening, and there is a noticeable decrease in business travel and recreational visits from both domestic and international travelers.
Barry Jonas at Truist Securities states that the latest Las Vegas Strip room survey is "mostly stable/positive from prior weeks." Q2 remains more mixed than Q1, with April up year-over-year and May slightly down, and June looking soft, according to the Truist weekly room survey.
The Senator's concerns are not limited to Nevada. She has been vocal about the broader negative effects of President Trump's tariffs on American consumers, including how they harm the travel and tourism sector. Along with Sen. Ben Ray Luján, she hosted a forum titled "Costs, chaos corruption: The household impact of Trump’s tariffs," to examine the impact of these tariffs on various sectors, including travel and tourism.
The travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sector consistently ranks as a top five industry in every state and territory across the US. The exact policies that Sen. Cortez Masto believes are negatively impacting travel and tourism were not mentioned in the provided paragraph, but her general opposition to policies that might harm economic sectors, such as her stance against Republican tax proposals, suggests that she is likely concerned about any negative impacts on tourism as well.
As of the last update on April 11, 2025, at 09:06h, the situation continues to be monitored closely. Direct statements from Sen. Cortez Masto specific to Nevada's travel and tourism sector under Trump's policies would provide a more precise answer.
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has expressed her worries about the Trump administration's policies and their potential impact on the travel and tourism sector, particularly in Nevada.
- The travel industry, supporting over 15 million jobs in the United States, is vital to Nevada's economy, but consumer spending on air travel and hotels dropped 10% and 6% respectively in February, suggesting a possible slowdown.
- Senator Cortez Masto believes the travel industry is already experiencing softer demand for domestic travel due to shaky economic conditions.
- She has written to key Cabinet members, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik, to request information on how the Trump administration is addressing economic stress on tourism.
- In Nevada, hotel room bookings are potentially softening, with a noticeable decrease in business travel and recreational visits from both domestic and international travelers.
- Senator Cortez Masto has been vocal about the broader negative effects of President Trump's tariffs on consumers, including their harm to the travel and tourism sector.
- The Senator's concerns are not limited to Nevada, as she has been actively addressing the impact of these tariffs on various sectors, including travel and tourism, during a forum titled "Costs, chaos corruption: The household impact of Trump’s tariffs."
