Panic in one of world's most famous cities as locals have 'never seen it so empty'

Tourism in Las Vegas, also known as 'Sin City', is in decline as the number of visitors plunged by 11.3% compared to last June and fell by 7.3% over the first half of the year. Figures from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reveal that this is equivalent to the decline recorded over the full two-year period during the global recession. This decline has reportedly already impacted locals, such as restaurant workers. Tattoo artists have also reported decline in income.

Such decline is a stark warning that President Donald Trump's global trade wars and tighter immigration rules are now negatively impacting key drivers of US economic growth - consumer spending. A resident speaking to The Telegraph said a commute to work took her 20 minutes, which is now down to nine. Data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority indicate that hotel occupancy in June was almost 10% lower than a year earlier. With room rates reduced to attract guests, revenue per room dropped even more sharply, by about 13.8%.

A visitor at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino told The Telegraph: "There were so many machines open in the casino last night.

"I've never seen it this empty and I've been coming here since my kids were little."

One casino emloyee told the newspaper that some customers, especially Latin Americans, are afraid to come to stay inLas Vegas hotels due to raids.

Another visitor said he and his wife got four free nights offered as well as beverage, food and casino credit in New York-New York Hotel and Casino.

He added: "The hotel solicited us to come out here. To me, that suggests they need the business."

Caesars Entertainment, which owns nine venues in Las Vegas including Caesars Palace, recorded an 8% decline in earnings from the city between April and June. MGM Resorts, which manages 12 hotels along the famous Strip, also reported a 9% decrease in its Las Vegas earnings for the second quarter.

The drop in visitor numbers is partly due to fewer international travellers. Canadians in particular have been avoiding the US following Donald Trump's trade tariffs and his suggestion that Canada should effectively serve as America's 51st state.

However, overseas tourists account for only around 12% of Las Vegas's visitors. According to Steve Hill, head of the LVCVA, the decline is mainly driven by Americans themselves.

He said: "The reduction that we've seen is largely domestic, and at its core is a concern that consumers have about the economy, about their financial situation and their jobs."

Donald Trump's sweeping economic programme - featuring the steepest import tariffs since the 1930s and large-scale deportations of migrants - has led to significant downgrades in growth forecasts, a sharp fall in consumer confidence, and renewed concerns about rising inflation.