Tourism Adds $3.7 Billion to Scottsdale Economy

The local tourism sector generated significant financial growth and tax revenue in 2025.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Economic Indicators

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a saguaro cactus against a desert mountain silhouette, representing Scottsdale's tourism-driven economy. — Tourism activity generated $3.7 billion for the Scottsdale economy in 2025, supporting over 29,000 local jobs throughout the fiscal year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Tourism contributed $3.7 billion to the Scottsdale economy in 2025. This activity supported more than 29,000 local jobs throughout the year.

Why it matters

The tourism industry serves as a vital economic engine for the city, providing a substantial foundation for both employment and municipal funding.

Tourism generated $78.7 million in city tax revenue during 2025. The data confirms the sector's role as a major driver of local fiscal health.

The players

Experience Scottsdale

This private nonprofit organization is responsible for marketing the area to attract visitors and sustain the local tourism economy.

The details

Experience Scottsdale works to promote tourism in both Scottsdale and Paradise Valley to sustain these economic benefits. These results rely on bed-tax revenue collected from overnight guests at resorts, hotels, and short-term rental properties.

Tourism contributed $3.7 billion to the economy during 2025.
The operating budget for Experience Scottsdale is $22 million for 2026.

Macro View

Scottsdale follows the common industry trend of relying on bed-tax revenue to fund destination marketing organizations. This model aligns local tourism promotion directly with the economic volume of overnight visitors.

Residents benefit from the $78.7 million in tax revenue that supports city services and infrastructure. This tourism volume helps maintain the local job market for over 29,000 workers in the community.

The takeaway

The city's financial stability remains heavily tied to the health of its hospitality and short-term rental market. Maintaining strong tourism numbers ensures that essential city services continue to receive robust funding from visitor-generated taxes.