Tourism is Scottsdale’s leading industry and the primary driver of its economy. The city’s resort lifestyle—marked by world-class golf, tennis, luxury spas, desert hiking and a vibrant arts and culinary scene—attracts visitors who frequently turn into long-term residents and business leaders.
Wealthy executives, including many millennials, arrive to enjoy Scottsdale’s recreational offerings and then decide to buy vacation homes or relocate their companies to the area. They come for leisure and often stay to do business.
“Scottsdale epitomizes a work-life-play environment,” says Kate Birchler, a member of the Scottsdale Tourism Advisory Task Force and assistant vice president of tourism marketing for Macerich Shopping Centers. With tourism as the city’s top economic engine, Scottsdale has focused on encouraging development that protects its natural resources and preserves the community’s high quality of life.
“Essentially, Scottsdale is focused on responsible, quality, wealth-generating development that will preserve and enhance our local quality of life,” says Danielle Casey, the city’s director of economic development. Target industries include advanced business services, information, communication and technology.
George-Ann Tognoni’s The Yearlings marks the entrance to Scottsdale’s Civic Center Mall. © Katherine Rodeghier
Companies relocating to or expanding in Scottsdale include web-hosting firm Weebly; tech firms such as Zenefits and Boomtown; software developer InEight; online marketing company Yodle; and Booker, a leading service-commerce platform. They join established employers like General Dynamics Mission Systems, which builds communications networks for military and government customers, and a robust health care sector anchored by three major hospitals, including a Mayo Clinic branch.
Scottsdale has developed a reputation for strong entrepreneurial activity. Casey cites data from investment tracker CB Insights showing Scottsdale led the Metro Phoenix area in venture capital deals, reflecting a lively startup and investment community.
Quality of life is a major draw, but cost and location also influence business decisions. Companies expanding out of high-cost regions such as the Bay Area are attracted to Scottsdale’s lower operating costs, expansive labor pool and convenient proximity to the West Coast. The city also draws notable foreign investment, particularly from Canada.
“The Canadian presence surged during the recession, when many Canadians began moving into the United States in significant numbers,” says Glenn Williamson, Canada’s honorary consul in Arizona and founder of the Canada Arizona Business Council. He notes that Canadian-owned commercial and residential property has become a major factor in Maricopa County’s market, and many Canadian business leaders who owned homes in Scottsdale chose to locate their U.S. offices nearby.
Beyond lifestyle appeal, factors such as lower labor costs and regulatory advantages compared with some other U.S. states have encouraged companies from Canada to expand in Arizona. Local government in Scottsdale is broadly pro-business and has refined its approach to attract higher-value industries while prioritizing community character and sustainability.
Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane emphasizes that the city prefers to grow organically without relying on incentives or subsidies. Scottsdale balances economic growth with its identity as a resort destination. The city estimates between 20,000 and 25,000 employees work in health care, bioscience and biotechnology—sectors that appeal to younger professionals.
Scottsdale’s AAA bond rating and recognition as one of the best-managed major U.S. cities reflect stable finances and effective municipal services. “Most companies are looking for a well-run city,” says Lane. From street maintenance to cleanliness, maintaining Scottsdale’s high standards helps protect its reputation as a top tourism destination.
Major business hubs include Scottsdale Airpark, adjacent to Scottsdale Airport, and SkySong, a public-private innovation center developed with the Arizona State University Foundation. The Airpark, covering 8.6 square miles, is one of Arizona’s largest employment centers with roughly 41,000 workers at companies such as GoDaddy, Taser and JDA Software. SkySong is a mixed-use complex with office, retail and research space designed to foster collaboration and growth.
Things to Do in Scottsdale
With more than 330 days of sunshine annually, Scottsdale invites outdoor activity year-round. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve spans 30,200 acres with nearly 150 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking among towering saguaro cacti, and more than 200 named rock climbs for various skill levels.
Hiking the Echo Canyon Trail to the summit of Camelback Mountain is a popular local tradition, especially at sunrise or sunset. Alternatives to hiking include horseback riding and guided off-road tours through the McDowell Mountains.
Despite its desert setting, the region offers boating and water sports on eight lakes and rivers. The Lower Salt River is suited to kayaking and tubing, while seasonal flows on the Upper Salt provide Class III and IV rapids for whitewater rafting.
Hot air balloons offer a great way to see the desert landscape from on high. © Katherine Rodeghier
Hot air balloon flights at sunrise or sunset give a breathtaking perspective of the Sonoran Desert. Local operators pick up passengers at resorts, inflate the balloons on-site and provide a chase vehicle to the landing, where riders enjoy a light meal or hors d’oeuvres.
Scottsdale is home to about 75 resorts, many of them five-diamond properties, offering extensive tennis and golf facilities. The region’s more than 200 golf courses include TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, Grayhawk, McCormick Ranch, Camelback and Gainey Ranch.
Resort spas often incorporate desert elements such as Arizona river rocks, desert clays, local honey and native herbs in their treatments. Spa programs range from meditation tepees and indigenous healing practices to medically informed wellness plans led by physicians and nutritionists.
Find Western wear and Native American items in the shops of Old Town © Katherine Rodeghier
Indoors, Scottsdale’s cultural offerings include Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, which highlights paintings, sculptures and artifacts that tell the story of the American West, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in Old Town. Architecture enthusiasts visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio.
The Scottsdale Arts District and Marshall Way Arts District host popular Thursday-night ArtWalks with gallery receptions, artist demonstrations and live music. The Fifth Avenue Arts District offers more than 60 boutiques and galleries, and downtown Scottsdale features over 500 shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Across the Arizona Canal, Scottsdale Fashion Square is the region’s largest shopping destination with more than 250 retailers.
CHECKING IN WITH ANDREW CHIPPINDALL
General Manager, Hotel Valley Ho
What are the hot topics of the day?
As chair of the Scottsdale Cultural Council, I’m deeply involved with the city’s arts community. Performing arts thrive year-round, and there’s a strong desire to grow Scottsdale as a destination for arts and culture. Residents and visitors alike enjoy major events—from spring training and golf tournaments to culinary festivals—and we’re focused on cultivating those organically.
How has Scottsdale changed in the past 10 years?
The culinary scene has flourished. Independent restaurants and talented chefs have made Scottsdale an exciting dining destination with diverse cuisines and craft mixology.
What sets Scottsdale apart?
The weather and the Sonoran Desert’s beauty are unmatched. The landscape here defies expectations—what some may see as barren is in fact strikingly beautiful. I hike every morning and find the desert’s character inspiring.
Any misconceptions about Scottsdale?
The “West’s Most Western Town” label can be misleading. Scottsdale is youthful and evolving rapidly. Recovery from the recession has spurred both residential and commercial growth, and the city in five years will look different—in positive ways.
Scottsdale Info to Go
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is under 10 miles southwest of downtown Scottsdale; taxi fares run about $30 in moderate traffic. Shared shuttle services typically charge around $20 per person to downtown, with private non-stop options at higher rates. Scottsdale Airport, nine miles north of downtown, serves private and corporate aircraft and offers expedited customs processing for eligible international visitors. Taxi fares from Scottsdale Airport to downtown are typically near $35 in moderate traffic; fares vary for other destinations.
Scottsdale: Just the Facts
Time Zone: GMT -7 (MST; no Daylight Saving Time)
Phone Code: Country code: 1, City code: 480
Currency: U.S. dollar
Entry/Exit Requirements: International visitors should consult U.S. Customs and Border Protection for entry requirements.
Official Language: English
Key Industries: Tourism, technology, health care, insurance, finance
Where to Stay in Scottsdale
The Boulders Resort & Spa Nestled among ancient boulders, this luxury resort joined Hilton’s Curio Collection and added meeting space. 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree $$$$$
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess A large resort near the McDowell Mountains, suitable for couples and families, and host to the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. 7575 E. Princess Drive $$$$$
Hotel Valley Ho A downtown boutique hotel with mid-century design, retro style and a lively lounge scene. 6850 E. Main St. $$$$
Restaurants in Scottsdale
Bourbon Steak A high-end steakhouse known for fine beef and distinctive dishes such as tableside lobster pot pie. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive $$$$$
FnB A downtown gastropub featuring seasonal menus that highlight ingredients from Arizona farms and an extensive selection of local wines. 7125 E. Fifth Ave., Suite 31 $$$
Virtù An Old Town restaurant with a rotating “wandering Mediterranean” menu of house-made pastas, seafood and locally sourced produce. 3701 N. Marshall Way $$$