Analysis finds Scottsdale’s tourism generated $3.7B in 2024
The city of Scottsdale saw nearly $4 billion flood into its economy and more than 11 million visitors in 2024, according to its tourism and events division.
The city of Scottsdale saw nearly $4 billion flood into its economy and more than 11 million visitors in 2024. (City of Scottsdale - Government Facebook photo)
(City of Scottsdale - Government Facebook photo)
PHOENIX — The city of Scottsdale saw nearly $4 billion flood into its economy last year, according to studies released by its tourism and events division on Thursday.
In 2024, Scottsdale welcomed more than 11 million that contributed to a $3.7 billion haul with 1.7 million being “international overnight visitors.” Its total number of overnight and day-tripping guests increased by more than 300,000 from 2023, with the international grouping up over 127,000 itself.
Locally owned businesses in the city benefitted from a majority of tourist’s retail purchases as well. Overnight visitors took 55% of their business to Scottsdale-based shops while a slightly higher percentage (59%) of “day-trip visitors” followed suit.
“The surplus is a real benefit to our community,” said Judy Doyle, Scottsdale’s senior director of enterprise operations, in a press release. “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.”
WestWorld, Scottsdale’s largest indoor/outdoor venue, contributed nearly $163.6 million from tourism observed from October 2023 to June 2024.
Other notable event outlets, including the WM Phoenix Open and Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, put a good chunk of change into the Scottsdale economic pot.
Rachel Sacco, president and CEO of Experience Scottsdale, said the year-over-year economic impact “speaks to the strength of Scottsdale’s brand.”
While domestic overnight visitors didn’t stay in resorts/hotels as frequently as in 2023 (79% compared to 87%), the average occupancy rate of these establishments was the same at 65%.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Scottsdale estimates it invested $54.7 million in municipal services for tourists but visitor-generated tax outmatched that by $22.8 million ($77.5 million).
View the full city of Scottsdale tourism study online.
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That will likely decline
Overall, early-2025 saw a sharp decline in international visitors to the U.S., with arrivals down 11.6% in March year-over-year. Forecasts turned from nearly 9% growth to a 9.4% decline, largely due to global backlash against Trump-era tariffs, rhetoric, and policies.