Tourism in Scottsdale: More than 11 million visitors fueled a $3.7 billion economic impact in 2024
The latest numbers from an annual analysis led by Scottsdale’s Tourism and Events division show that the city’s tourism sector is thriving, generating $3.7 billion in economic impact in 2024 while supporting more than 36,000 local jobs in hospitality and related industries.
More than 11 million visitors traveled to Scottsdale last year, including 4.9 million domestic overnight travelers, 1.7 million international overnight visitors and 5.1 million day-trippers. Those numbers represent increases over 2023 — 300,000 more domestic visitors (up 3%) and 127,000 more international visitors (up 8%). The findings come from the city’s annual tourism study, which leverages a variety of data and information including a domestic visitor survey and local tax collection figures.
Scottsdale offers experiences that draw travelers
Scottsdale’s mix of outdoor adventure, luxury amenities and cultural experiences continues to attract travelers from around the world. The city hosts some of Arizona’s most attended events, including the WM Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, and San Francisco Giants Spring Training, creating a year-round mix of visitor experiences that clearly appeal to a wide variety of people.
Aside from those signature events, top visitor activities include shopping, dining, arts and culture, hiking and golf. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, and annual events like Canal Convergence also remain major draws, while Scottsdale’s selection of resorts and hotels provide top tier options from which visitors can choose their own city adventures.
“Tourism is a fiercely competitive industry, and this growth in visitation speaks to the strength of Scottsdale’s brand,” said Experience Scottsdale President and CEO Rachel Sacco. “Our visitors can choose anywhere in the world, and they choose to come to Scottsdale year after year.”
A booming tourism industry is a win for residents and businesses
City Manager Greg Caton emphasized that tourism benefits the community beyond visitor spending.
“Scottsdale has made very strategic investments in public facilities and operations, which have shown positive returns on investments in the form of increased economic activity – much of it in the form of the tourism growth and impact that our latest visitor study shows,” said City Manager Greg Caton. “We strive to deliver the highest-level programs, facilities, and services to our community, and visitors are clearly attracted to the same high-quality environment that our residents enjoy year-round.”
In fiscal year 2024/25, Scottsdale spent an estimated $54.7 million to provide municipal services to visitors. Visitor-generated tax revenue exceeded that cost by $22.8 million. For every $1 of municipal service costs attributable to visitors, the city received $1.42 in revenues.
“This surplus is a real benefit to our community,” said Judy Doyle, Scottsdale’s senior director of enterprise operations. “Tourism-generated tax revenues help us invest in essential services and quality-of-life improvements for residents without relying solely on them to cover the cost.”
Visitors also support Scottsdale’s locally owned businesses. In 2024, 55% of overnight visitors and 59% of day-trip visitors who shopped chose local retailers.
Old Town Scottsdale remains a hotspot, with more than 90 restaurants, 320 retail shops and 80 art galleries — many of them independently owned — offering unique experiences to both visitors and residents.
The 2024 Scottsdale Tourism Study tells a compelling story for Scottsdale: a robust and thriving tourism industry, built upon an enviable foundation of resorts, experiences and municipal services.