SCOTTSDALE’S TOURISM MASTER PLAN
Tourism is one of Scottsdale’s largest and most impactful industries, in terms of jobs, tax revenue, economic impact, and quality of life for Scottsdale residents. It’s crucial that Scottsdale’s tourism grow sustainably — in a way that not only benefits visitors and hospitality businesses but also Scottsdale’s residents.
In 2021, Experience Scottsdale and the city of Scottsdale partnered with the experts at Resonance Consultancy to define a clear vision for the future of Scottsdale’s tourism industry and a roadmap for the management and marketing of tourism.
This vision was informed by more than 100 stakeholder interviews, and the strategic planning process allowed city leaders, industry stakeholders, and residents to prioritize key areas of focus through workshops, presentations and consultations.
In January 2023, the Scottsdale Tourism & Events Strategic Plan was approved to help guide the next five years of Scottsdale’s tourism industry to achieve the following vision:
“As stewards of the destination, Experience Scottsdale promotes its unique characteristic while the City of Scottsdale develops and manages the facilities, programming and events required to enrich both the visitor and resident experience in a manner that seeks to minimize the impact of tourism on our environment while maximizing its economic benefits for everyone involved.”
The plan touches on the following key priorities:
- Community Well-Being
- Culture & Creativity
- Festivals & Events
- Meetings & Events
- Outdoor Pursuits
- Placemaking & Entertainment
- Sports Tourism
- Travel & Hospitality Advocacy
The plan identifies 33 strategies and 115 action items within those priorities. Strategies include: positioning Scottsdale as a thought leader in sustainable tourism; celebrating Native American and Western heritage; promoting and growing Scottsdale as a bicycling destination; enhancing walkability and access within Old Town Scottsdale; advocating for labor standards and talent well-being; and more.
Read the full plan here
Learn more about the city of Scottsdale’s sustainability efforts, including heat mitigation and shade and tree planning, here.
