‘Las Vegas still doesn’t get it’: LVCVA ad generates harsh reaction
In the hours after the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority unveiled its new “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” campaign, early reaction online skewed sharply negative.
It was less about the ad’s glossy dance-through-Vegas vibe and more about what many say the spot doesn’t address: rising costs and value in visiting Sin City.
The 60-second ad hit — which was set to debut during Thursday night’s Cowboys-Eagles NFL broadcast — follows an office worker who breaks free into a neon dream that takes her from Fremont Street to major Strip resorts.
“Las Vegas was built on hospitality, and this campaign is our renewed promise that as our city grows, our foundation remains unchanged: we are committed to providing fabulous experiences for every visitor, at every price point,” LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill said in a Thursday press release.
‘Aggressively terrible’: X reacts in real time
Local Las Vegas feed @VitalVegas said in an post on X on Thursday that the ad was a total miss in addressing issues in the city. “As we’ve been talking about for the last week, the LVCVA launched its new ‘Fabulous’ campaign today. It is aggressively terrible,” the post said.
As we’ve been talking about for the last week, the LVCVA launched its new “Fabulous” campaign today. It is aggressively terrible. On the heels of the F1 and A’s debacles, fire everyone (including R&R). Full trainwreck: https://t.co/VxEbMSgwVY pic.twitter.com/Iat8HOIKSR
— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) September 4, 2025
Replies to the @VitalVegas post predominately agreed with the sentiment that the campaign does not address real issues that affect how Las Vegas, as a tourism destination, is perceived. “Advertising won’t overcome a product problem until they fix that number one issue=out of control pricing on everything,” @Mitchell_A_C posted.
Fraudulently out of touch. Yikes.
— Kip Kelly (@kipthekelly) September 4, 2025
They got one thing right. Every place the lady was hanging out was a ghost town. It almost looked like a @nbcsnl skit. The marketing team needs some help.
— Robert Decorte (@bobbydredwing) September 4, 2025
The slogan should be “the best restaurants, the biggest hotels, the coolest clubs and concerts…and if you come Sunday - Thursday, it’s a decent deal.”
— Izzo4Prez (@JaylenRMabin) September 4, 2025
‘Las Vegas still doesn’t get it’
The ad uploaded to YouTube by the official Visit Las Vegas account racked up nearly 31,000 views by early Thursday evening fared no better in terms of public reaction. The comments under the video included:
- @brantfeldman6591: “Can you add a character that also says SLAY RESORT FEES, $25 water and $30 cocktails”
- @cleantoronto3658: “Get rid of all the gouging. A commercial [is] not enough to have people return”
- @JasonRasmussen: “Wow, that’s horrible. I’ll do their Vegas ad for free: No resort or parking fees -Cheaper eats and stays”
- @kefer6092: “”This trip is good for my brain..??” Good how? My brain hurts after I do the math on all the ridiculous fees resorts charge these days. Not to mention how they get away with fees on food. You guys don’t get it. Push your politicians to really put the pressure on the EXTREME pricing and maybe the tourists will come back.”
- @tylerkrelle7091: “Las Vegas still doesn’t get it”
Contact Kevin J. Barr at kbarr@reviewjournal.com
