CITY NEWS
SCOTTSDALE BEGINS TRACKING INTERNATIONAL VISITOR NUMBERS,
ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 1.7 MILLION IN 2018 SCOTTSDALE REMAINS A TOURIST DESTINATION OF CHOICE – A FACT CONFIRMED IN A RECENTLYRELEASED TOURISM STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY’S TOURISM AND EVENTS DEPARTMENT. According to the 2019 Scottsdale Tourism Study Visitor Statistics Report, the city saw an increase in visitors over the prior year, hosting about 200,000 more overnight and day trip visitors in 2018, totaling 9.1 million, compared to 8.9 million in 2017. This was also the first study to include international overnight visitors -- estimated to be about 1.7 million in 2018. “It’s a very important group of travelers to consider. Data shows us international travelers typically stay longer based on where they traveled from and tend to spend more,” said Karen Churchard, Scottsdale’s tourism and events director. “We’ve now created a baseline in this report that will give us the resourc-
es to track those trends and have that valuable data available.”
In 2018, visitors spent an estimated $2.1 billion in Scottsdale, compared to $1.6 billion in 2017. Their direct spending created an annual economic impact of $3.1 billion in revenue to local businesses, an increase from $2.4 billion in 2017. In conjunction with the Visitor Statistics Report, Scottsdale studies lodging trends using bed tax collection figures, which are consistently tracked and readily available. The Scottsdale Tourism Study Lodging Report looks specifically at trends in bed tax collection, room inventory, average room rates, occupancy rates and other factors related to lodging trends. It includes tax receipt figures that reflect actual sales tax and bed tax collections during the previous month and data that’s based primarily on properties located within Scottsdale.
According to the 2019 report, Scottsdale’s bed tax revenue totaled $20,367,185 in 2018, up seven percent from 2017. In addition, bed tax generated more than $146 million in revenue for the city and annual occupancy was 70 percent, a 1.7 percent increase from 2017. The Scottsdale Tourism Study draws from multiple traveling reporting agencies that track and benchmark tourism data to track economic and social impact.
Longwoods International, a leader in tourism market research, conducted a survey of 450 visitors. Travelers were asked about their experience in Scottsdale and the results were all very positive. More than 90 percent of visitors were satisfied with their trip to Scottsdale, 83 percent planned to visit again, and 95 percent stated they would recommend Scottsdale to someone else.
On the topic of safety, 97 percent responded that they felt extremely, very or pretty safe. Downtown Scottsdale was the top attraction with 61 percent visitation. Top 10 activities for Scottsdale visitors in 2018: 1. Shopping 2. Upscale dining 3. Night Clubs 4. Visiting historic sites and landmarks 5. Swimming 6. Visiting state parks 7. Museums 8. Casinos 9. Hiking 10. Golf
For activities and experiences, the No. 1 category was shopping at 40 percent, compared to the U.S. average of 30 percent. For more information on Scottdale’s Tourism and Events, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “tourism.”
CHRISTMAS IN CAREFREE RETURNS TO THE CAREFREE DESERT GARDENS THIS YEAR’S OFFICIAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, AT 5 P.M. IN THE SANDERSON LINCOLN PAVILION AND AT THE ICONIC CAREFREE SUNDIAL. The giant 25-foot Christmas tree and the Gardens will be illuminated for the first time during the holiday season with thousands of twinkling lights sparkling throughout the desert landscape. The ceremony will include a performance by various CCUSD student choirs, and Santa himself will handle the tree lighting duties! Following the tree lighting, a special screening of the popular holiday film, Elf, will be held in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Free hot chocolate and holiday treats will be available, along
with snacks for purchase, and a holiday gift will be distributed to each child/family in attendance. Santa makes another appearance in Town, joining us for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 7 from 9–11 a.m. in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Held in conjunction with Rural Metro Fire’s Holiday Toy Drive, attendees may bring a new toy, canned good or suggested donation of $5 per person for admission, with proceeds benefiting Foothills Food Bank. Enjoy free photos with Santa and a performance of Sing! Sleigh Bells Ring!, a holiday celebration in song featuring talented area youth. The Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion will resonate with an evening of classic Christmas tunes when area favorites Vicki McDermitt and Chirp, featuring Jerry Donato take the stage on Saturday, December 7 at 6 p.m. Presented in partnership with Spirit in the Desert and Music Serving the Word Ministries, the evening’s entertainment will be preceded with a performance of holiday favorites from the Cactus Shadows High School Jazz Band, directed by Kevin Brady. Music Serving the Word will be accepting non-perishable food donations, benefiting Foothills Food Bank. This concert is open to the public, and free to attend.
4 • December 2019 • SCOTTSDALE NORTH NEWS
Rounding out the weekend, Pinnacle Creative Arts presents Hope for the Holidays – A WWII Christmas on Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Step back in time to Christmas Eve 1944 and experience a serviceman’s holiday celebration. This brief time travel to the past is sure to please and will make you proud to be an American! Tickets are $15, and available online at PinnacleCreativeArts.com as well as at the door. Congregants from Temple Chai, as well as members of the Jewish Social Group of Cave Creek and Carefree will host the annual Chanukah in Carefree Menorah Lighting every evening at 5:30 p.m., beginning Sunday, December 22 through Sunday, December 29, in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Local groups and families will be invited to light the menorah each evening, with a special ceremony on Sunday, December 22 that will include the Temple Chai Cantor and Choir. Each evening’s service is open to attendees of all denominations and faiths. For more information about these events, visit ChristmasinCarefree.com or call 480-488-3686. scottsdalenorthnews.com
