Tourism

Prescott has made another list of best retirement communities, this time by USA Today. In a list of Top 10 retirement cities, three are in Arizona. Prescott was named the third best place in the United States to enjoy ones’ golden years.

The top city for retirement is listed as Phoenix, with Tucson in fourth place.

Authors of the Top 10 list said Arizona ranked so well because of low property taxes, weather, a relatively low crime rate and quality of health care options.

Other cities in the top ten include Arlington, VA., Des Moines, Denver, Austin, Cape Coral, FL., Colorado Springs and Franklin, TN.

 

 

 

 

If you see a lot of strangers in town, do not be surprised. It is possible they have taken the advice of the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor, which in December ranked Prescott as the “Number Three Destination on the Rise” in the United States – and a terrific place to visit.

Only two communities ranked above Prescott: Wildwood, New Jersey, and Nags Head, North Carolina.

The decision ranking Prescott as number three in the country is based upon the compilation of feedback from travelers throughout the world who evaluate the communities they visit.

Prestigious praise such as that from TripAdvisor often has strong impact upon economic growth within a community.

Margo Christensen, vice president of marketing and public relations for Ponderosa Hotel Management LLC, says TripAdvisor is consumer controlled. “It has very rigid policies and protocols. Its recognition of Prescott is a well-earned and well-deserved honor that’s the result of some incredibly hard work on the part of Prescott business and hospitality industry owners these past few years.”

Christensen explains that in 2007-2009, when Prescott was in the depths of the recession, hotels and restaurants (primary audiences for TripAdvisor) were barely surviving. At that time, Prescott was almost at the bottom of the Arizona tourism and hospitality barrel among non-metropolitan communities.

She credits area business owners, marketing experts and community leaders with kicking solid marketing tools into gear, especially through social media marketing.

Prescott then began attracting attention from travelers nationally and internationally. Those same travelers visited Prescott, spent money, liked what they saw and experienced. They in turn told TripAdvisor. Positive reviews grew.

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What TripAdvisor Said About Prescott

The Trip Advisor website (tripadvisor.com) describes Prescott like this:

“Nestled in the conifer forest of a historic city boasting much in the way of adventure and culture. Golfers flock to the six pristine courses, while outdoor enthusiasts find exciting hiking trails, secluded picnic spots and adventure on the waters of its five lakes.

Discover the history of the Old West in the City’s museums, historic railway and Pioneer Home Cemetery, where ‘Big Nose Kate’ Elder, wife of Doc Holiday, found her final resting place.”

 

Also mentioned, illustrated with attractive color photographs, is that Prescott has 52 different things to do, something new for every week of the year.

Among those attractions are the 184 restaurants and cafes, 36 hotels and motels, the lakes, trails, museums, library, walking tours, Heritage Zoo, art galleries, antique shops, the World’s Oldest Rodeo, theatre and performing arts venues, four colleges, shopping malls, Whiskey Row, outdoor recreational facilities for various sports – and more.

The site also includes a year-round weather chart.

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What Makes Prescott Appealing as a Destination?

TripAdvisor, which claims it has more than 280 million unique monthly visitors, has seen mentions of Prescott grow from almost nothing five or six years ago to more than 12,000 reviews just recently.

City of Prescott Tourism Director Don Prince says Prescott’s rapid climb to high visibility among travelers is the result of several local factors.

“Visitors are attracted to destinations that are authentic and offer a true ‘sense of place.’ Prescott is fortunate. The historic downtown has hundreds of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The community offers visitors a variety of events to enjoy. For example, the City-sponsored ‘Summer Concert Series’ around the Courthouse Plaza is a good example of free entertainment during the summer months.”

Prince says visitors enjoy the safe and comfortable walkable downtown area, where they can experience authentic history and culture preserved in museums. He says they also appreciate the diverse recreational opportunities with trails, lakes, boating and fishing, softball, tennis, golf and other facilities.

“The positive reviews visitors leave on sites such as TripAdvisor help spread the word about our ‘hidden gem’ of a destination,” Prince said.

Prescott Chamber of Commerce CEO Dave Maurer is thrilled with the endorsement. “That fact that this ranking is based on comments made by visitors to Prescott clearly shows the appeal of the ‘Old West’ as well as our scenic beauty, outdoor recreation and unique shopping opportunities. I suspect visitors are surprised to find everything they discover in Prescott. The climate, the history, the diversity of vacation opportunities and certainly the topography are not what people expect to find in Arizona.”

Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall said he is gratified to see that tourism promotion is having such a positive impact upon growth and economy in the area. “We all benefit when visitors bring ‘new money,’ stay a few days and take home pleasant memories about ‘Everybody’s Hometown.’”

Communities that TripAdvisor ranked below Prescott stretch from coast to coast and border to border.

They were

#4        – Telluride, Colo.

#5- Pompano Beach, Fla.

#6 Traverse City, Mich.

#7   Avalon, Calif.

# 8       Waikoloa, Hawaii

#9        Knoxville, Tenn.

#10      Gulf Shore, Ala.

 

TripAdvisor is not the first national or international organization to rank Prescott as a desirable community. Recently, Sunset Magazine, National Geographic Adventure magazine, Money magazine, Smart Money/Wall Street Journal and several other highly-circulated publications have praised Prescott as a Top 10 city in which to retire or in which to live and launch a business. QCBN

By Ray Newton

Quad Cities Business News

The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) is honored to announce its recently expanded Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, located 20 minutes east of Flagstaff, has been awarded AAA’s coveted Four Diamond Award for its stunning architecture, customer satisfaction and infusion of Navajo culture into its architecture, amenities and decor.

“We had a vision in the early development of Twin Arrows to design a flagship Navajo gaming and hospitality facility capable of achieving AAA’s Four Diamond Award standards, and more importantly, to hire and train a predominantly Navajo workforce capable of exceeding their stringent guest service standards,” said Derrick Watchman, Navajo Gaming CEO. “It is the deepest honor to receive this distinction just one year after our grand opening. I congratulate our entire team on this achievement, thank AAA for inspiring us to reach for their Four Diamond Award and invite guests to our premier travel destination to enjoy the Twin Arrows gaming hospitality experience.”

The announcement came after a recent evaluation of the breathtaking facility and its 110-room resort expansion. The achievement ranks Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort as a premier establishment esteemed by AAA’s professional inspectors, the hospitality industry and its millions of members. Only five percent of the more than 29,000 properties approved by AAA achieve this prestigious distinction. Additionally, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino is the only Flagstaff destination to receive this honor.

The resort was evaluated on its casino, 200-room hotel, multiple dining destinations – including the Zenith Steakhouse, indoor swimming pool, fitness center and other amenities the resort offers. Of special note was the conference and convention center with a 9,000 square-foot banquet center with 25-foot ceilings, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, VIP boardroom, complimentary valet and complimentary high-speed Internet access throughout the resort and event center.

The ranking is shared in all AAA/CAA travel information and with its more than 54 million members worldwide.

“Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is committed to providing every guest with a personalized experience and attentive service in comfortable, high quality surroundings,” said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “This property exceeded the expectations of the most discriminating traveler – the AAA inspector.” QCBN

 

For more information on Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort visit www.twinarrows.com or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TwinArrowsAZ

 

Arizona Snowbowl has started its summer operations, The scenic chairlift is open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm every Friday, Saturday, Sunday plus two holiday Mondays (May 26 and September 1) during the summer season (Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October).

Take in the dramatic scenery of northern Arizona from a bird’s eye view atop an extinct volcano at 11,500 ft (3,500 m). Enjoy hiking, interpretive talks, play a round of disc golf or treat yourself to lunch on the patio with a mountain view. The Agassiz Lodge comes alive in the summer offering music on the weekends and a family friendly menu with indoor and outdoor table service.

Snow Remains on the Mountain

Even in a year with record drought conditions, Arizona Snowbowl still has snow in many areas on the mountain. In fact, when unloading the scenic chairlift ride at 11,500 ft, guests will be able to walk up to an area that still has several feet of snow. So bring the family and experience snow in May.

Private Events at Agassiz Lodge

Due to higher demand for events at Arizona Snowbowl, guests can now rent Agassiz Lodge for private functions. From birthday parties to corporate meetings, Agassiz Lodge offers indoor and outdoor seating up to 100 guests. Combine your next event with a private sunset chairlift ride or take advantage of the mountain environment to wow your guests.

Winter Recap

The success of the 2013-14 winter season is attributed to the new snowmaking system. Arizona Snowbowl averages 260 inches of natural snow annually, but received barely over 100 inches this past winter. Without snowmaking, Arizona Snowbowl would not have been able to offer such quality skiing and riding and could have faced the possibility of not opening. The 2013-14 winter season realized 122 consecutive days of being open and over 140,000 visitors to the mountain.

 

U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) is issuing the following statement commending the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) decision to allow 1,721 additional Grand Canyon flights per year utilizing quiet technology:

“I was thrilled to learn that the FAA has allowed additional quiet flights over the Grand Canyon. This commonsense decision will create good-paying jobs and boost economic activity in an extremely rural area.

“By recognizing quiet flight technology improvements, the FAA has given us an example of a federal agency using evidence-based decision-making. Now, more of Arizona’s visitors get to experience the beauty of this natural treasure through unique aerial tours. As a result of the FAA’s decision, we are accomplishing two important goals: keeping noise in the Canyon to a minimum while growing this critical sector of our economy.”

BACKGROUND:
The air tour and tourism industries at the Grand Canyon are critical to Arizona’s economy. In 2011, tourism at the Grand Canyon helped sustain more than 300,000 jobs. The air tour industry around this historic landmark supported 1,250 good-paying jobs in Arizona and Nevada during that same timeframe.

Rep. Gosar played a critical role in the FAA’s decision to allow additional quiet flights at Grand Canyon National Park because his bill was enacted into law.

In the 112th Congress, Rep. Gosar, introduced bipartisan standalone legislation, the Grand Canyon Tourism Jobs Protection Act of 2012 (H.R.4198), to protect tourism jobs and preserve natural quiet at the Grand Canyon National Park.

The provisions of H.R.4198 were ultimately codified into public law through Section 35001 of H.R.4348, also known as MAP-21.

Prior to this legislative victory, Rep. Gosar raised awareness of this issue through a series of letters, including:

In February 2011, Rep. Gosar and five of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to House Transportation Conferees asking them to codify the definition of natural quiet for the Grand Canyon.
In June 2011, Rep. Gosar and seven of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter commenting on the National Park Service’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for flight rules over the Grand Canyon.

In March 2012, Rep. Gosar and five of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to then Secretary of Interior Salazar containing comments and a series of specific questions about the future of aerial tours and natural quiet technology at the park.

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 20, 2014.

Park visitors are reminded that fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them.  Visitors who plan to spend time in the park beyond January 20^th will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.

 

This year, additional fee-free days will occur in honor of Presidents Day (February 15-17),  kick off to National Park Week (April 19-20),  National Park Service Birthday (August 25), National Public Lands Day (September 27) and Veterans Day (November 11).

 

Grand Canyon’s South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should be aware that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice if winter weather passes through the area.

 

 

For more information on what there is to see and do in Grand Canyon National Park. Please visit the park’s websitewww.nps.gov/grca.  For more on national park fee-free days, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

 

With the New Year, many of us are resolving to learn something new, and Arizona Snowbowl is making it easy for first-time skiers and snowboarders.

January marks the sixth annual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in the United States, and with natural and machine-made snow on the San Francisco Peaks, people of all ages are taking advantage of the winter sports opportunities available to them.

Through Arizona Snowbowl, the Quad Cities area and the rest of Arizona have had access to skiing and snowboarding for more than 75 years. But this month, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of January special pricing for Learn to Ski programs by visiting www.arizonasnowbowl.com.

The program is designed to teach the first-time skier or snowboarder the fundamentals of snow sports and mountain safety. The Learn to Ski package includes a Hart Prairie Beginner Area lift ticket, full day rental equipment, and a two-hour lesson.

Lessons start promptly at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the base of the Hart Prairie Lift. Participants are encouraged to arrive in their equipment and ready to go at least 15 minutes prior to their lesson time. Guests may register for the Learn to Ski Program in the Rental Shop.

To make sure everyone has a safe, fun, comfortable, and successful experience on the slopes, here are some tips:

 

What to Bring and Wear

 

Keep it warm and dry:

• Keep boots, gloves, helmets, and any other gear you wear in the car or bus where it’s heated, not in the trunk.
• Take an extra pair of dry socks to put on when you arrive at Snowbowl. It is a good idea to have dry socks just before you hit the slopes to be sure you have warm feet. Do not wear two pairs of socks; it will make your feet colder.
• Wool is GOOD; cotton is BAD, this includes all clothing items.
• Wear shoes or boots that are appropriate for walking in snow and puddles.

Dress in layers:

• It is worth investing in a pair of waterproof ski pants, as jeans get wet and will make you cold.
• It is best to dress in layers as temperatures can vary throughout the day.

Inner Layers:

• Fleece or wool pants (long underwear) and a sweater (two layers) are a great choice.
• Wool socks will keep you warm through the day, although taking extra clothing and socks to change into after skiing/snowboarding is recommended.

Outer Layers:

• It is very important to have pants and a top outer layer that are at least water resistant. A waterproof or water resistant jacket and pants are your best bet for day-long warmth.

Sunscreen protection and lip balm:

• Bring and apply sunscreen! Arizona Snowbowl is situated at an elevation of between 9,000 feet and 11,500 feet. The atmosphere is far thinner than most of us are used to and sunburns happen quickly, even in cloudy conditions. Arizona Snowbowl’s Sports Shops carries sunscreen and lip balm for your convenience.

Head and Eyes Protection:

• Be sure to have proper eye protection. Sunglasses or goggles (especially if it’s snowing) are extremely important in cold weather.
• We recommend wearing a helmet for safety and to keep your head warm; and a gator will protect your face and neck.

Gloves or Mittens:

• Make sure your gloves or mittens have a waterproof, breathable shell and are well insulated. Mittens, along with hand and toe warmers, are usually better for those susceptible to cold hands and feet.

For Your Energy Level:

• It is a very good idea to eat a good breakfast. Snowbowl has breakfast available, including breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, cereal, etc.
• Bring plenty of water and drink it!
• Bring snacks to stick in pockets and backpacks. This can save the day when you’re feeling tired or worn out.

 

Finally, do not attach your lift ticket to your jacket, because you may take your jacket off as the day gets warmer. It should be attached to ski pants or ski bibs, easy for lift operators to see.

Arizona Snowbowl has the largest beginner ski terrain in the Southwest covering 50 acres, including two chairlifts and two surface conveyors. The conveyers act like moving sidewalks and take the intimidation out of getting on and off a chairlift.

Remember, some people feel the effects of the high elevation, so it is important to take it easy, be prepared and enjoy Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month! QCBN

 

Written by Jason Stratton, the marketing director at Arizona Snowbowl. For more information visit www.arizonasnowbowl.com.

 

 

As the old saw goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s the message coming out of Arizona Shuttle, whose Prescott-based ShuttleU brand is being retired to make room for new company branding statewide.

According to Arizona Shuttle Marketing Director Fred Gould, “What we want to say to our loyal ShuttleU customers is that we’re the same well-run company we were last week, last month, or last year. The only thing that’s changed is the name, and the look of the vehicles.”

Arizona Shuttle acquired ShuttleU approximately two years ago, retaining much of the same operating team. Since then, the company has upgraded the vehicles on the route, put in place new scheduled maintenance and safety procedures, and increased local employment by 100 percent. The service now schedules 18 round-trips daily between the greater Prescott area and Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport, using class-leading Mercedes Sprinter vans.

In addition, Arizona Shuttle is the primary provider of ground transportation from Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood and Camp Verde to the Phoenix Airport and other points in metropolitan Phoenix. It also operates a service for tourists between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon as well as connects Flagstaff with Sedona.

As part of a fresh marketing initiative for 2013/2014, the company has embarked on a new look and feel for the brand, as well as bringing divisions with different names under the Arizona Shuttle umbrella.  The other service affected is Sedona-Phoenix Shuttle, which was acquired by Arizona Shuttle early in 2012.

According to Arizona Shuttle General Manager Jeff Colson, “Not only will the re-branding allow us to unify and consolidate our marketing efforts, it will allow us to build a consistent brand statewide, with all the positive attributes we’ve become known for. At the same time, we’re also unifying and consolidating our operations statewide, to make it easier for our customers to plan their routes, book their travel, and know what to expect on any route we serve.”

The re-branding effort is being handled by Sedona marketing firm Flesch, Pritchard & Peebler (fp²), which also developed the company’s new tag line, “Getting you from A to Z.”

“We’re very happy with the bold new look of our vans, as part of the re-brand,” added Colson.  “These vehicles are moving billboards for us, so we wanted to make sure that they stood out from the rest of the traffic out there and made a positive impression.”

Gould said, “We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to grow even during the recession, so, with the economy slowly improving, tourism on the rise again, and with the continued support of our loyal customers, we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to sustain and even accelerate our growth by attracting new customers under our new branding, and with the new marketing plan.” QCBN

By Anthony Flesch

Arizona Shuttle is based in Tucson with offices in Flagstaff, Sedona/Cottonwood, Prescott and Phoenix.    

 

 

 

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the State of Arizona will continue funding Grand Canyon National Park in light of the continued federal government shutdown.

 

“Grand Canyon’s importance to Arizona’s tourism industry and overall economy cannot be ignored,” said Governor Brewer. “While I am pleased the state is able to ensure the Canyon remains open during this critical season, it is well past time for the federal government to end this shutdown and pay its bills. We are doing our job. It’s time the President and Congress do theirs.”

 

On Friday, the governor negotiated an agreement to reopen Grand Canyon for up to at least seven days using state and local monies. Under the terms of the agreement, the State of Arizona is paying $93,000 per day to the National Park Service to fully fund park operations. Governor Brewer today authorized the use of state dollars from the Arizona Office of Tourism to continue funding the Canyon for up to an additional nine days, throughOctober 27, if the federal budget stalemate in Washington persists. If the shutdown ends prior to then, Arizona will be refunded for any unspent days.

 

Visitors to Arizona’s national parks have spent an average of $2.5 million a day during October in recent years – $1.2 million per day at Grand Canyon National Park alone.

 

The State of Arizona will seek support from members of its congressional delegation to authorize federal reimbursement of any state dollars expended to fund park operations during the shutdown.

 

Photo by Bill Ferris  http://www.flickr.com/people/billferris/