Las Vegas posts its sharpest annual visitor drop since 1970, excluding pandemic.

On Fridays, it still feels like peak Vegas — rolling suitcases, packed rideshare queues and the familiar churn at Harry Reid International. By Monday, the airport has quieted considerably.

"Our peaks are still peaks, and our valleys are softer," said James Chrisley, director of the Clark County Aviation Department.

The softening is showing up in hotel pricing, flight schedules and paychecks — echoing what the Federal Reserve's survey and recent airline earnings calls have flagged: Higher-income travelers keep booking, while households feeling the pinch pull back. (Reuters)