Tourism Tuesday
M A Y 2 1, 2 0 2 4
Photo: 2024 National Travel & Tourism Week
Good afternoon,
2024 National Travel and Tourism Week kicked off on Sunday and we’re excited to highlight travel and tourism’s essential role in driving Arizona’s economy, cultivating vibrant communities and connecting people.
This week we’re sharing a series of posts on our @AZTourismNews social channels to shine a light on the reliable and critical economic benefits tourism provides to the state as a whole and cities, towns and communities across each one of our 15 counties.
So follow along with us this week as we use this opportunity to reinforce the importance or tourism not only to our state, where we, on average, contribute approximately 10% of the state’s annual budget, but also to our entire country.
The latest data from the U.S. Travel Association shows travel spending delivers a $2.8 trillion footprint on the U.S. economy and supports over 15 million jobs nationwide. The $89 billion in state and local tax revenue generated supports the livelihoods of people and the vibrance of communities in every state.
So I want to say thank you to all of you across our spectacular tourism industry, who do such a wonderful job of delivering memorable experiences for our visitors (43.8 million last year!) that keep them wanting to come back again and again!
Lisa Urias
CEO & EDD, Arizona Office of Tourism
@AZTourismNews
AOT In Action
Current/Updated DMO Designations Are Due
Friendly reminder to ensure your Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) designation is up to date for FY25. If your organization previously submitted the appropriate documentation for designation through FY25, nothing further is required. If you submitted documentation that expired in FY25, AOT requires updated documentation before the start of the fiscal year on July 1 and new programs begin. Contact Tyler Lopez at tlopez@tourism.az.gov with any questions.
AZ Airport Passenger Traffic Up 8.5% in March
Updated industry research now available on tourism.az.gov.
- AZ Airport Passenger Traffic - March 2024
DATA AT A GLANCE: Arizona airports posted an 8.5% passenger traffic increase in March 2024 over March 2023, with year-to-date figures showing an increase of 6.2%. Leading the way was Sky Harbor Int'l Airport with a y-o-y increase of 9.6% in domestic passengers and 11.9% in international passengers.
Share Your Thoughts To Help Improve Arizona Trails
Arizona State Parks and Trails is seeking feedback from outdoor enthusiasts to help shape its 2025 Trails Plan. The plan, which provides information to improve trail experiences across the state, covers motorized, non-motorized, and emerging trail activities, and how land managers can improve trail experiences. Those who complete the survey, which is available in both English and Spanish, are eligible for a chance to win exciting Arizona experiences, adventures, family fun and staycation packages up to $600 in value!
New on VisitArizona.com
Globetrotting Gastronomy Finds a Home
This piece shares the story of Teresa Nguyen, who united her past and present to open Tempe Eats, an eatery that’s as much about community as it is about food. It’s a place where every person gets a taste of what it means to belong and to savor the simple pleasures of life.
#DiscoveringArizona
Latest: Superior's Boyce Thompson Arboretum; Globe's Bravo Americano Moderno
We invite you to follow along and help us share our #DiscoveringArizona Listening Tour to connect with the people and experiences that define the Arizona of today while building toward the Arizona of tomorrow.
Our latest post on our @AZTourismNews channels:
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior
Nestled within the Tonto National Forest is Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, AZ, which connects visitors and residents to the majesty of nature and to each other. For this #DiscoveringArizona stop, we gathered within this pristine landscape to listen and learn how the diversity, beauty and storied mining history here drives connectivity throughout the Copper Corridor region. “I guarantee you will not leave Superior without making a new friend or two.” sums it up nicely!
Bravo Americano Moderno, Globe
Globe offers a welcoming spirit encompassing a diverse population. On our #DiscoveringArizona listening tour visit there, community members and leaders shared its wide variety of arts, culture, recreational activities and cuisine showing how there’s truly something for everyone in this small town just 1.5 hours east of Phoenix.
Upcoming Events
Arizona Governor's Conference of Tourism (GCOT) Aug. 21-23
The premier educational and information-sharing event in the state for travel professionals and destination marketers. GCOT provides attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers, learn from expert panelists, draw inspiration from nationally renowned speakers and discover cutting-edge products and services.
News
AHLA: 61% of U.S. Travelers Are Planning Summer Trips
Lodging
Sixty-one percent of U.S. travelers are planning overnight for leisure in the next four months and 34 percent expect to increase their overnight leisure travel this summer compared to last year, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult. The poll found that 31 percent of U.S. travelers said they plan to increase their number of hotel stays this summer compared to last summer.
Google Unveils Gemini's New Trip Planning Capabilities
Phocuswire
Google recently unveiled big changes to its search engine among numerous other AI-driven product updates that include new trip-planning capabilities that travel insiders are already saying could represent an improvement in the sector.
Mastercard says value is a priority for summer travelers
Travel Weekly
Travelers are prioritizing events, less expensive destinations and longer trips in warmer climates this summer, according to a 2024 trends report from the Mastercard Economics Institute. The report found that travelers are as determined as ever to continue traveling, even in the face of high prices and inflation.
Did You Know?
Arizona, and more specifically Lake Pleasant, is home to the world's tallest floating waterslide. At a height of 34 feet, the “H2 Whoa!” was recently recorded by The Guinness Book of World Records as the Tallest Floating Waterslide. Located at Pleasant Harbor, this mammoth water slide features three launch ramps and a blob jump for even more outrageous thrills.
