Las Vegas is world-famous for its 24/7 entertainment, conventions, sports, and mega-events. With roughly 41.7 million visitors in 2024, tourism fuels almost every sector of the city’s economy. While cannabis delivery is restricted to private residences and explicitly prohibited in hotels and casinos, tourism still has a notable influence on delivery services—from food and retail to groceries and essentials.
Seasonal Peaks: High Tourism, High Delivery
Tourism in Vegas peaks during specific seasons: major holidays (New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, Independence Day), big conventions (CES, NAB), sporting spectacles (Formula 1, Super Bowl), and festivals (EDC). During these high periods:
- Food & Beverage Delivery sees significant upticks. Visitors staying off-Strip or in vacation rentals frequently order meals late at night or for group gatherings.
- Grocery and convenience delivery also surges. Tour groups and frequent Airbnb/RV guests often require supplies.
- Retail and gift delivery experiences spikes, particularly around holidays when tourists send souvenirs home.
- Ride-share and courier demand also climbs as visitors need airport transfers or fret over losing luggage.
Cannabis Twist: Not for Guests, Still a Boost
Even though cannabis delivery is barred from hotels and casinos, this restriction doesn’t eliminate its tourism-related demand entirely:
- Private Rentals & VRBOs: Many tourists opt for private accommodations to legally indulge in cannabis. These renters often use delivery services repeatedly during their stay.
- Visitor Residences: Some tourists stay with friends or in secondary homes, domestic or international, where delivery is allowed.
- Local Consumption: Tourists may purchase and pick up cannabis directly from dispensaries, indirectly increasing local tourism traffic and related delivery activity for food, drinks, or event supplies.
So, while casino-hotel guests can’t use this service, tourism still lifts nearby cannabis orders.
Off‑Peak Lull: A Mixed Impact
During quieter months—late winter after New Year’s or late summer—Las Vegas sees visitor numbers dip. In fact, May 2025 saw a 6.5% decrease in visitors compared to May 2024 and declines in occupancy and gaming revenue. Even so:
- Convention-driven demand cushions some of the drop, though leisure tourist spending is sharper.
- Delivery services do see reduced business, but resilient gig-economy models and local repeat customers help sustain operations.
Year-Round Strategy: What This Means for Delivery Providers
To remain agile, delivery services should:
- Align Staffing: Scale up couriers and kitchen capacity during high tourism seasons and major events.
- Expand Menus & Promotions: Offer Pacific “tourist-friendly” items—party trays, local snacks, celebratory kits for events like F1 or Super Bowl.
- Target Cannabis Customers: With cannabis prohibited in hotels, companies can entice VRBO/Airbnb users or visitors in private rentals through targeted digital marketing.
- Data‑Driven Forecasting: Use LVCVA reports and event calendars to predict delivery volumes. The LVCVA’s tourism tracker shows steady annual visitor increase to 41.7M in 2024, with direct visitor spending at $55B.
The Verdict
Yes, tourism seasons markedly affect delivery demand in Las Vegas, across food, grocery, retail, and even cannabis delivery to private lodging. While top-tier hotels see limitations on cannabis logistics, growth in private rentals, off-Strip stays, conventions, and mega-events ensures that delivery services remain in flux—rising and falling in sync with tourism patterns. Companies that adapt—by aligning resources, crafting smart promotion strategies, and analyzing event and visitor data—can not only weather the off-season but also thrive during peak travel waves.