‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the town, not a tourist was stirring, not even downtown. The poinsettias were hung along Fifth Avenue with care, in hopes that the visitors soon would be there.
In the past, Scottsdale’s tourism industry once settled down for a long winter’s nap from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, as business travelers spent the holidays at home and leisure travelers spent the holidays on the beach. But the city isn’t so sleepy anymore, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Experience Scottsdale, area hotels and resorts, and the City of Scottsdale.
Thirteen years ago, Experience Scottsdale, the destination marketing organization promoting tourism to Scottsdale, first launched its annual holiday campaign to convince travelers to choose the desert for their winter getaways. And what to their wondering eyes did appear, but more and more visitors with each passing year.
In 2023, Experience Scottsdale’s holiday microsite and related stories received over 471,000 page views, a 54 percent increase over the year prior. Since the organization began its seasonal campaign, hotel occupancy in November and December has increased, on average, by 14 percent. That means more visitors are coming to Scottsdale, frequenting area local merchants and filling the city’s tax coffers.
Throughout the years, Experience Scottsdale’s campaign has been bolstered as Scottsdale hotels, resorts and attractions have added more seasonal programming. Today, events like Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Christmas at the Princess, Desert Botanical Gardens’ Las Noches de Las Luminarias, and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s Holiday Lights are traditions for visitors and locals alike.
The city of Scottsdale also joined the merrymaking with the month-long Scottsdazzle extravaganza, now in its ninth year. From November 30 through December 31, Old Town Scottsdale’s districts will be decked out with poinsettias, twinkly lights and holiday art installations. Scottsdazzle also features events like the Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony, Starlight Movie Night, Peppermint Plaza, and Scottsdazzle Gold Palette ArtWalk.
Experience Scottsdale continues to highlight such festivities on its dedicated campaign website, UnwindinScottsdale.com. This year, the organization also is speaking to those who find the holidays a bit overwhelming.
For those potential visitors and locals, Experience Scottsdale is offering tidings of comfort and joy. Because no matter the festivities happening around the city, Scottsdale area hotels, resorts and hospitality businesses have the same luxurious service they do the rest of the year: sparkling pools, mouth-watering cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, lush golf courses and pampering spa treatments.
With advertising targeting 24 local, drive and fly markets, Experience Scottsdale is inviting travelers and locals to unwind in Scottsdale before they unwrap the holidays and its obligations. After a restful and relaxing vacation, those visitors will be prepared for the frenzy ahead.
No matter how they prefer to spend the season, with a twinkle in their eyes, visitors will exclaim ere they drive out of Scottsdale, “Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night!” For more information, visit unwindinscottsdale.com.
