Arizona Monthly Media Brief

April 2022

Photo: Sedona, Courtesy John Weatherby

Dear Industry Friends,

The Arizona Office of Tourism is pleased to provide this monthly update of new and noteworthy items regarding Arizona’s tourism industry. Please use this link to access all images. We have resumed press trips for journalists on assignment, if you are interested in visiting Arizona for a story, please reach out to IT Public Relations in NYC via the contact information below.

For more information, contact:

• Becky Blaine at bblaine@tourism.az.gov

• Kim Todd at ktodd@tourism.az.gov

• Marjorie Magnusson at mmagnusson@tourism.az.gov

• Joanna Tejeda at jtejeda@tourism.az.gov

• U.S. PR Agency of Record: IT PR NYC - Janet Mick at jmick@itpublicrelations.com

Attractions 

Skydiving from Lake Havasu City is now available

A new option for skydiving began in February 2022. Skydive Havasu began offering tandem freefall skydiving in northwestern Arizona. The experience begins at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport where tandem students complete the required paperwork and review a United Parachute Technologies (UPT) safety video. The tandem skydiving instructors answer additional questions and help tandem students gear up into the jump harness. Once geared up, you board an aircraft for a 15-20 minute flight to a 13,000-foot altitude for the jump. Once at altitude, you and your instructor exit the aircraft, sharing a parachute for the 135 mph freefall. Your instructor will deploy the parachute for a peaceful canopy ride to the landing zone in Yucca, AZ. A Skydive Havasu van provides transportation back to the Lake Havasu City airport. Options are available to purchase a video of your jumping adventure. Skydive Havasu operates on weekends and is year-round for those at least 18 years old.

PR Contact: Rachel Maxwell, President, Skydive Havasu
Tel: 928-889-1210
Email: jump@skydivehavasu.com

New Service Sedona Shuttle Provides Public Transit Solutions for Adventure Seekers

Sedona Shuttle, the free, easy and eco-friendly way to explore some of Sedona's favorite trails, launched its first stage of implementation on March 21. Sedona Shuttle’s free trailhead routes will connect two safe, convenient park and ride lots with four highly utilized trailheads – Cathedral Rock, Soldier Pass, Dry Creek, and Little Horse. Mescal trailhead service will be added later in the summer and other trailheads as demand grows. The free trailhead shuttles will create a variety of benefits for residents and visitors. These include:

• Excessive parking in neighborhoods near trailheads will be reduced, giving residents a much-requested break.  

• The reduced traffic and parking along roadways leading to trailheads, will increase safety for those using the trails.  

• The reduction of parking along roadways will also help to safeguard the environment, by reducing erosion and auto emissions in sensitive areas.

The second service to be implemented will be Microtransit – a demand response, app-based transit service to enhance mobility throughout the community and allow visitors and residents to connect to the trailhead shuttles without driving. This service will be launched later in 2022. The trailhead shuttles will run Thursday-Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and seven days a week during peak visitation periods. Complete information about the trailhead shuttles and park and rides is available at www.SedonaShuttle.com. 

Media contact: Robert Weber, Transit Manager
Email: rweber@sedonaaz.gov

‘Walkable’ Virtual Tour of Glendale, Arizona Offers Future Visitors 360° Access to Popular Destination

Planning a trip, event or meeting just got a whole lot easier as Visit Glendale recently launched its virtual 360° tour to showcase the many attractions in the Arizona destination. Visit Glendale has crafted an interactive ‘walkable’ tour that provides tourists and trip planners alike with real-life access to attractions like Westgate Entertainment District and Tanger Outlets while providing a more in-depth look at meeting spaces at several Glendale hotels. The tour allows visitors to click-through at their own pace and virtually ‘walk’ spaces to view details that one might only get during an in-person tour, perfect for those who want to get the lay of the land before their visit. Innovative technology and ‘street-view’ style photography was used to produce the tours in a visually appealing and informative way, but also optimized for Google Search, Google Maps, social media, and other digital platforms. To take the tour, please visit www.massinteract.com/visit-glendale/ and for more information on Glendale, Arizona, check out visitglendale.com.

Media Contact: Brian O’Malley
Tel: 480-703-8338
Email: brian.o’malley@highnoon.com

Explore Exciting Developments at Woodland Lake Park

Located in the heart of Pinetop-Lakeside, Woodland Lake Park is the shining centerpiece of this beautiful mountain community. Woodland Lake Park is situated in the middle of town, but feels like it’s miles away from civilization. It is a wonderful place to go kayaking, boating, fishing or just strolling around the 1.1-mile ADA-compliant paved trail that encircles the lake. The 107-acre park also features a number of ramadas overlooking the lake, which can be reserved for family barbecues, birthday parties or even corporate events. Long considered the gem of the White Mountains and the crown jewel of Pinetop-Lakeside, the park is one of the most popular places for people to walk their dogs, but all dogs must be on a leash at all times. The Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, thanks to a generous donation from the Salter Family Foundation, was able to acquire the park from the U.S. Forest Service in August of 2020, thus fulfilling a long-time dream of buying the park for future generations to enjoy. Learn more here.

Media Contact: Tony Alba, Town of Pinetop-Lakeside
Email: talba@pinetoplakesideaz.gov
Phone: 928-368-8696, Ext. 240

Culinary

El Charro Café Celebrates 100th Anniversary

In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Tucson’s treasured El Charro Café, the country's oldest family-run Mexican restaurant, a full year of celebration and commemorative activities kicks off with the debut of the Cerveza of the Century. Brewed by the award-winning Dragoon Brewing Company, the Cerveza of the Century is a Sonoran Amber made using Centennial Hops (a variety of hops used in the industry) and mesquite smoked malt. Other upcoming events include the Margarita of the Century Challenge, special dinners, tasting events and much more to be announced soon.

PR Contact: Ray Flores, Jr.
Email:  ray@elcharrocafe.com

Four Arizona Finalists Spotlighted for the 2022 James Beard Awards

Arizona’s unique gastronomy scene continues to be highly acclaimed by the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards. The Foundation recognized four outstanding Arizona-based individuals and restaurants as finalists for the nation's most esteemed culinary excellence awards. Arizona is proud to be represented by to following talented chefs, restaurateurs, and eateries:

• Best New Restaurant – Bacanora in Phoenix.

• Outstanding Baker – Don Guerra of Barrio Bread in Tucson.

• Outstanding Restaurateur – Chris Bianco of Tratto, Pane Bianco and Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

• Best Chef — Southwest (encompassing AZ/NM/NV/OK):  Giovanni Scorzo of Andreoli Italian Grocer in Scottsdale.

Events

Celebrate National Tea Day with Mountain Shadows’ New Library Teapot featuring Teaspressa

On National Tea Day (April 21), Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale is launching the Library Teapot, featuring beloved local company Teaspressa. The Library Teapot is a new addition to the resort’s chic Library Coffee Cart, which features design-centric books by TASCHEN and creative coffee drinks. For those who prefer tea, the Library Teapot will feature Royal-Tea – a drink that combines milk with Teaspressa’s Charles Grey tea, London Fog sugar cubes, and Blue Daisy petals. Allison DeVane, the founder of the Phoenix-based company, creates incredible teas, flavored sugar cubes, and toppings to enhance your daily sipping rituals. Resort guests and locals alike are welcome to visit the Library Coffee Cart and Library Teapot in The Living Room every Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout 2022 and beyond. All featured drinks are $7.

PR Contact: Kristin Heggli
Email: kheggli@benchmarkglobal.com
Phone: 480-421-7734

Celebrating International Dark Sky Week and Earth Day in Arizona

Between natural wonders and breathtaking night sky views, Arizona has an endless list of sights and experiences to appreciate in the great outdoors. With International Dark Sky Week kicking off on April 22 (Earth Day), what better time to celebrate our 19 certified IDA Dark Sky Communities and Parks? Arizona has no shortage of Dark Sky and Earth Day-related events and programming showcasing what makes each local community unique, beautiful, and a proud steward of our incredible public lands. For more information on Arizona Dark Skies, visit https://www.visitarizona.com/places/dark-skies/.

Flight Service 

PHX - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Updates - Come Fly with Us 

Looking to travel? Many airlines have added or restarted routes giving you even more options as you plan your travel.

American Airlines resumed daily year-round flights between Heathrow and Phoenix on April 5 on a Boeing 777-200. Flights depart London at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Phoenix at 12:35 p.m. From Phoenix, flights depart at 5:55 p.m. and arrive in London at 12:10 p.m. 

Condor Airlines will resume its twice-weekly nonstop Phoenix-Frankfurt flight on May 21, operating from May through September.

To see a list of all the places you can fly from PHX, visit our Where We Fly page.
Haven’t traveled in a while? Check out our COVID-19 page for airport updates.

New Concourse at Terminal 4 Will Feature Exciting Shops, Restaurants, and a Lounge

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s 8th concourse at Terminal 4 will be opening this summer. Now, America’s Friendliest Airport® will have even more local dining options for travelers to enjoy while visiting the airport as well as local shops. Phoenix Sky Harbor’s goal is to provide a mix of national and local brands for Phoenix passengers, including local business and minority representation. Restaurants and shops will open in phases through 2022 and 2023. The 130,000 square foot concourse at Terminal 4, Phoenix Sky Harbor’s busiest terminal, will also feature a variety of customer amenities from access to charging stations throughout the area, an Animal Relief Area, a nursing room, art, and beautiful views of South Mountain and the surrounding areas. Learn more about the new concourse here.  

Contact: Gregory E. Roybal, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Division
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Tel: 602-683-3803
Email: skyharborPIO@phoenix.gov

Nonstop Flights Between Canada And Tucson, Arizona To Start Next Winter

More Canadians will be able to enjoy the warmth and beauty of Tucson – and Arizonans can shred the slopes of the Great White North – starting next winter under an innovative new agreement that will bring Flair Airlines to Tucson International Airport (TUS). The agreement, recently announced at TUS, is a partnership among Flair Airlines, Visit Tucson, the Tucson Airport Authority, and five Canadian airports. The new flights are currently scheduled to start at the end of November and are available for booking now here.

• Fort McMurray (YMM)

• Lethbridge (YQL)

• Prince George (YXS)

• Windsor (YQG)

• Edmonton International (YEG)

With the exception of Edmonton International, this will be the only nonstop flight to the United States from these airports.

Hotel News

Modern Upscale Brand Relaunches with Opening of Vīb Tempe in Arizona

Best Western® Hotels & Resorts has debuted an urban, upscale boutique brand, Vīb, with the opening of the new prototype Vīb Tempe in Tempe, Arizona. The Tempe hotel serves as a model for future Vīb properties through its thoughtfully designed spaces that invite collaboration and socialization while still offering flexible function with a stylish flair. Vīb Tempe features a modern lobby designed for collaborating with peers, using as a workspace for the day, or socializing after a local sporting event. The versatile public space can also flex to provide an extended lobby with flexible furnishings suitable for large events and functions. Food & Beverage offerings include being the home to Arizona’s first Cousins Maine Lobster restaurant bringing Maine lobster to the heart of downtown Tempe. The lobby bar provides the perfect hangout spot to indulge in crafted cocktails, light dining, and espresso beverages. The hotel also features a signature rooftop lounge offering guests breathtaking views of the valley. For more information on the Vīb brand, please visit BestWesternDevelopers.com and Vib.BestWestern.com.

Marketing Representative: Cynthia Hanson
Tel: 480-805-2070 ext. 603
Email: cynthia.hanson@vibtempe.com

Accolades

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters wins prestigious safety awards

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, the world’s largest and most experienced helicopter tour company, received two Diamond Awards from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for excellence in maintenance and safety. In addition to consecutive Diamond Awards, Papillon is the only aerial tour company serving the Grand Canyon to achieve the IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) Stage Three designation. This designation represents Papillon’s industry-leading standards for best safety practices. Granted by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), it recognizes Papillon for achieving the highest level of compliance within IBAC’s standards. IBAC granted Papillon the prestigious designation following a rigorous, multi-year audit of its safety practices, safety reporting, dedication to ongoing improvement and overall safety-oriented company culture. Out of more than 6,000 eligible companies worldwide, only 280 aviation companies have achieved this progressive Stage Three designation.

Media Contact: Marina Nicola
Email: marinagnicola@gmail.com
Cell: 702-355-0845

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Designated as Purple Heart Community

People driving into the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) will soon be greeted with a symbol of gratitude for veterans; signs that state they are entering a Purple Heart community. On March 21, 2022, SRPMIC was designated a Purple Heart Community via a dedication ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens at Salt River. SRPMIC is the first Native American community in Arizona to receive this designation. This designation affirms that the SRPMIC government recognizes those in the community who gave their lives or were wounded in combat defending our American freedom. Becoming a Purple Heart Community also means SRPMIC will join the Purple Heart Trail, a national network of roads, bridges, highways and other monuments and trails honoring service members who have received the Purple Heart. SRPMIC has the deepest appreciation and respect for the men and women who have made great sacrifices in serving their nation and this Community in the U.S. Armed Forces.

PR Contact: Maureen Aldrich
Email: Maureen.aldrich@srpmic-nsn.gov
Tel: 480-362-664

General

U.S. Route 89A periodic travel restrictions through Oak Creek Canyon until 2023

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced that projects planned for one of Arizona's most scenic highways, U.S. Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff, are expected to slow or stop traffic along the two-lane route during work set to begin spring of 2022 and run into 2023. During the work, the road will most­ly remain open, but officials said traffic will be restricted, with the roadway narrowed to one lane through the work zones with alternating northbound and southbound travel. Flaggers will control traffic, and temporary concrete barriers will be used for lane restric­tions.  ADOT officials said drivers can anticipate up to five daytime and 10 overnight full closures from Sunday through Thursday and the closures will be provided at least seven days in advance. ADOT officials noted that the full closures won't take place over the weekend, on holidays or when there's a major event in Sedona. When the highway is closed, Inter­state 17 and State Route 179 provide an alternate but significantly longer route between Sedona and Flagstaff. To check your route as you are in the area, click https://azdot.gov/projects/current-road-restrictions or https://az511.gov/.

COVID-19 Updates in Arizona

For visitor guidance due to COVID-19 such as mask-wearing, a list of tourism-related reopenings or closures, and a link to public health guidelines, click here: https://www.visitarizona.com/covid-19/. Some attractions are open year-round and some are open seasonally or move to seasonal hours. To ensure the places you want to see are open on your travel dates, please check their website for hours of operation.