By james art 
“It was the month before Christmas and there was not a single tourist in the whole city, not even in the center. Poinsettias were carefully strung along Fifth Avenue in the hope that visitors would soon be there.
In the past, Scottsdale’s tourism industry once settled in for a long winter nap from Thanksgiving to New Year’s as business travelers spent the holidays at home and vacationers spent their vacations at the beach. But the city isn’t so sleepy anymore, thanks to a joint effort by Experience Scottsdale, area hotels and resorts and the city of Scottsdale.
Thirteen years ago, Experience Scottsdale, the destination marketing organization promoting Scottsdale tourism, first launched its annual vacation campaign to convince travelers to choose the desert for their winter getaways. And what to their astonished eyes appeared, 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% increase over the previous year. Since the organization began its seasonal campaign, hotel occupancy in November and December has increased by an average of 14 percent. That means more visitors come to Scottsdale, visit local merchants and fill the city’s tax coffers.
Over the years, the Experience Scottsdale campaign has been strengthened as Scottsdale hotels, resorts and attractions have added more seasonal programming. Today, events like Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale’s Princess, Las Noches de Las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Gardens, and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s holiday lights are traditions for visitors and locals alike.
The city of Scottsdale also joined in on the fun with the month-long Scottsdazzle extravaganza, now in its ninth year. From November 30th to December 31st, Scottsdale’s Old Town areas will be decorated with poinsettias, twinkling lights and holiday art installations. Scottsdazzle also features events such as the Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony, Starlight Movie Night, Peppermint Plaza and the Scottsdazzle Gold Palette ArtWalk.
Experience Scottsdale continues to highlight such celebrations on its dedicated campaign website, UnwindinScottsdale.com. This year, the organization is also talking to those who find the holidays a little difficult.
For these potential visitors and locals, Experience Scottsdale offers news of comfort and joy. Because regardless of the festivities happening around town, the Scottsdale area’s hotels, resorts and hospitality businesses offer the same luxurious service as they do the rest of the year: sparkling pools, mouth-watering cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, lush golf courses and pampering spas. procedures.
With promotions targeting 24 local markets, Experience Scottsdale invites travelers and locals alike to unwind in Scottsdale before their holidays and duties end. After a calm and relaxing vacation, these visitors will be prepared for the craziness to come.
No matter how they choose to spend the season, with a twinkle in their eye, visitors will exclaim before leaving Scottsdale, “Happy Holidays everyone and good night everyone!” For more information, visit unwindinscottsdale.com.