The 2025 Las Vegas Anti-Tourism Display Award show.
Take this with a bit of sarcasm....
Welcome, everyone, to the 2025 Vegas Anti-Tourism Display Award show!
(Don’t worry, this is not a real awards show, but the sentiments are very real for many visitors.)
The Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority CEO, Steve Hill, has worked diligently with major players like MGM and Caesars to make this year the best ever in making the middle-class, average tourist feel truly unwelcome in Las Vegas.
For years, Las Vegas has branded itself as an accessible destination for all, built on the steady stream of millions of everyday vacationers. However, recent decisions prioritizing high-roller events have changed the city’s landscape, and not for the better in the eyes of many.
So, we thought we should show a little “love” for Steve Hill’s effort to make average tourists feel unwanted in the city—all in support of his passion for a one-night race.
So, as they like to say, “never let a bad deed go unnoticed,” that's why we created this award in honor of all of Steve Hill’s work to ruin Las Vegas tourism.
Here we go!
Third Place: The Venetian Resort 🥉
Third place goes to The Venetian. This is truly one of the most beautiful and architecturally distinct resorts in Las Vegas, if not America. Its canals and towering facades are landmarks in themselves.
The Display: The Venetian blocked the tourist view of its beauty, as well as one of its world-famous gondola rides, all to support a one-night race. While, fortunately, this display didn’t completely block the sidewalk or force tourists to move around massive blockades, it still creates a tacky, unsightly distraction. It obscures the classic, expected Vegas experience.
The Message: That’s the purpose of it. Make it so the average tourist doesn’t enjoy the landmarks of Las Vegas as they expect to see them. It’s a clear sign that the scenic view is now reserved for those paying a premium, not the casual passerby.
Second Place: The Bellagio Resort & Fountains 🥈
Second Place goes to The Bellagio.
The Display: The Bellagio/MGM worked extra hard at this anti-tourism display, and it truly shows the commitment.
The sidewalk is blocked, forcing foot traffic to squeeze or divert.
Two lanes of vehicle traffic on the Strip are blocked or severely restricted.
The VIP suites and seating stands—massive temporary structures—completely block any view the average tourist would have of the world-famous fountains. This iconic, free spectacle—a cornerstone of the Vegas experience—is now rendered invisible to the public for months.
The Impact: This disruption lasts for approximately three months of construction, setup, and teardown, all to support a single, one-night race. This long-term blockage and visual denial directly impacts the millions of visitors who come to Vegas expecting to see the Fountains and walk the Strip with ease. It’s a monumental inconvenience for what many argue is a fleeting, high-cost event.
Grand Prize Winner: The Venetian/Palazzo to Wynn/Encore Walkover 🥇
The Grand Prize goes to the walkover from the Venetian/Palazzo to the Wynn/Encore. This display is the most egregious for blocking a view that only just became a major landmark.
The Display: This pedestrian bridge was one of the best spots to see the Sphere from the Strip. Now, it is strategically blocked to protect your view of this major, multi-billion-dollar landmark. The irony is staggering—a city builds a new icon, then immediately blocks the best public vantage point for months.
The Rationale: Of course, the structure is up to cordon off the view. But more critically, if the walkover were open, tourists would have a clear, elevated view of one of the many severe traffic bottlenecks created by the temporary track preparations. The blockades hide the resulting gridlock, a clear testament to the operational chaos caused by this single event.
The Conclusion: The average Vegas visitor deserves better. The city’s success was built on them. These anti-tourism displays are a slap in the face to the demographic that fills the slots, buys the show tickets, and supports the countless jobs in the city year-round.
Steve, your deranged love for the F1 and not for the people who keep this city alive - is killing Vegas tourism!
Please, GET HELP!
Do you agree with our picks?
Mark Anthony
The Vegas Tourist
P.S. Don’t forget, our Vegas Survival Kit, featuring chargers, cooling gear, and more, is a must-have before your trip. Click here to pack smarter
P.S.S. Have you booked a tour yet? The future you will thank you for saving the hassle! Visit MrMarkTours.com