Scottsdale is currently in celebration mode, kicking off National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), a yearly affair dedicated to honoring the extensive influence of travel and tourism on local and national economies. According to a recent article, the city's contribution to travel in the United States is nothing to sneeze at, with 11.2 million people visiting last year and injecting a cool $3.5 billion into the Scottsdale economy. "Tourism is more than just an industry in Scottsdale – it’s part of our identity," Rachel Smetana, the city's tourism and events director, told the City of Scottsdale. The region's attractions, from Old Town Scottsdale, which attracts nearly half of the city's overnight guests, to its cultural hotspots and food scenes, are likely to contribute to the strong numbers.
Nationally, travel managed to generate a hefty $2.9 trillion in economic output in the year 2024, as per the stats highlighted by the City of Scottsdale, backing more than 15 million jobs and contributing around $190 billion in tax revenues. Scottsdale generated nearly $74 million in local tax revenues that help fund essential services, and the appreciable $1.9 million in sales tax revenue from hospitality workers in the city.
The city has been strategic about encouraging tourism, with Experience Scottsdale, the local destination marketing partner since 1987, playing a significant role in attracting travelers for conferences, meetings, and various events.
Throughout the National Travel and Tourism Week, Old Town Scottsdale is driving engagement by urging both residents and visitors to publicly share their favorite spots and faces in the hospitality industry on social media using #NTTW2025. A special Merchant Mixer event is also on the cards, with updates from city leaders and partners on everything from upcoming initiatives to business engagement studies and Canal Convergence collaboration opportunities. "Travel matters to Scottsdale – not just for the dollars it brings in, but for the community it helps build," Smetana pointed out.
