Scottsdale’s tourism sector generated $3.7 billion in economic impact during 2024, according to the city’s annual tourism study. The industry supported more than 36,000 local jobs in hospitality and related fields.
The report found that over 11 million visitors came to Scottsdale last year. This included 4.9 million domestic overnight travelers, an increase of 3% from the previous year, and 1.7 million international overnight visitors, up by 8%. There were also 5.1 million day-trippers.
Scottsdale continues to attract travelers with a combination of outdoor activities, luxury accommodations, and cultural events. Major events such as the WM Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, and San Francisco Giants Spring Training contribute to a steady flow of visitors throughout the year.
Other popular activities for tourists include shopping, dining, exploring arts and culture venues, hiking, and golfing. Attractions like the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West remain significant draws for both new and returning visitors.
“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.”
City Manager Greg Caton noted that tourism has broader benefits beyond direct 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,” Caton said. “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, municipal spending on services for visitors was estimated at $54.7 million while visitor-generated tax revenue surpassed those costs by $22.8 million. For every dollar spent on municipal services for tourists, Scottsdale 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.”
The study also found that tourists support local businesses: In 2024 more than half of overnight guests (55%) and nearly six out of ten day-trip visitors (59%) who shopped chose local retailers.
Old Town Scottsdale remains a central destination with over 90 restaurants, 320 retail shops—many independently owned—and 80 art galleries offering experiences for both residents and tourists.
The findings highlight how tourism continues as a key part of Scottsdale’s economy with wide-reaching effects across city life.
