Metro Phoenix falls out of top 10 travel destinations
Sep 6, 2012, 6:32 AM | Updated: 6:33 am
For the first time since 2009, the Valley has dropped out of the top 10 travel destinations in the United States, a survey found.
The Phoenix-Scottsdale area was ranked as the 19th destination for Americans.
“Throughout the year, we see surveys coming in from all different avenues about different destinations across the United States and across the world,” said Rachel Pearson of the Scottsdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“Every destination wants to be included, but it is not of concern to us that we are not on the list.”
Pearson said Smith Travel Research provides Scottsdale with travel statistics and the latest numbers are favorable.
“Year over year, we are seeing an increase in visitation,” she said. “We still have a ways to go to get us back to where we were pre-recession levels, but we are seeing positive trends. We’re seeing visitors coming back, staying in our hotels and resorts and enjoying the amenities Scottsdale has to offer.”
Nearby Las Vegas was the most popular destination in the United States with Maui and Orlando coming in second and third.