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The seduction of the crimson Sedona sandstone has long captivated people around the world. Such stunning beauty in a beautiful yet easily accessible back country makes us unique – and attracts spiritual seekers, rugged outdoors types, and world class artists from sculptors to chefs.
In the last two years we have been working toward keeping Sedona the Most Beautiful Place on Earth. Our commitment has produced the Sedona Sustainable Tourism Plan, the only one of its kind in Arizona, a unique community collaboration that is our guiding document.
We look forward to keeping you up to date and of course, we welcome your inquiries. We hope to see you in Sedona, too! Please let us know how we can help you develop content that will engage your audiences with the beauty, art, food and outdoor living that defines red rock country.
Sedona Updates
Revolutionary Western Gateway Trail Ahead of Schedule
The Western Gateway project redevelops 29 miles of trails in West Sedona, opening up new red rock vistas for hikers, bikers and equestrians. Entirely funded by the community and constructed by volunteers in cooperation with the USFS, the system includes new trails, adopted user-made trails and a redeveloped trailhead with 60 designated parking spots and room for horse unloading and outfitter staging. Volunteers under USFS supervision also closed off miles of user trails to allow nature to reclaim the landscape. All but one mile of trails is complete – a year ahead of schedule. Western Gateway will reduce crowding at popular trailheads and preserve and restore our unique environment.
50 Local Businesses Committed to $1000 Annual ‘Trail Keepers’ Contributions  
The USFS budget is insufficient to meet the $400,000 annual cost of maintaining the 400+ miles of trails in the Red Rock Ranger District, so local businesses and the Chamber have stepped up. The Trail Keepers program now includes 50 Chamber partner businesses, exceeding the Chamber’s target of 35 businesses set just last year. Each Trail Keeper donates $1000 annually for maintaining our trails – and the priceless access to Sedona’s magnificent red rocks. The Chamber matches each contribution. Started in 2016, the program is on track to contribute $370,000 by 2021.
Sedona Cares Pledge is Educating Visitors & Residents on Sustainable Behavior

Part of the Sedona Sustainable Tourism Plan, the Sedona Cares Pledge is nine commitments encouraging a sustainable mindset among visitors and residents. Using a lighthearted approach, the Pledge includes commitment such as ‘If I can’t find a parking spot, I will not invent my own’ and ‘I’ll make my own memories, but not my own trails.’

The Chamber promotes the Pledge locally and through our Visitor Center, emphasizing individual action in achieving a sustainable balance of our sensitive red rocks environment, the local economy, our small-town quality of life and the life-changing experience we offer our visitors.

Major Traffic Management Project Wrapping Up, Addresses Sustainable Vehicle/ Pedestrian Flow

Sedona’s famous Uptown retail area is getting a major roadway makeover. The $4.4 million Sedona In Motion project adds a new southbound lane to make life easier for drivers entering Sedona on 89A from beautiful Oak Creek Canyon; two roundabouts that make turning around a breeze; an art-imbued landscaped median to funnel pedestrians to crosswalks and reduce left hand turns and a new road to free parking off of 89A. The project will be finished by June. Sedona budgeted $8.25 this fiscal year for similar improvements, making traffic and pedestrian movement much less stressful and sustainable going forward.

Business Sustainability Certification Skyrockets

Since the City Council affirmed Sedona’s commitment to sustainability by approving the Sustainable Tourism Plan in 2019, local businesses have responded by adopting sustainable practices that conserve energy and water, source supplies and food products locally and minimize waste. Since the Plan was approved, more than 35 businesses have achieved certification from the Sustainability Alliance of Arizona, bringing the total number of certified sustainable businesses in the area to 95 – and growing! Many are imaginative, such as the local juicer that won government permission to switch to glass bottles and converted equipment to become on-site glass recycling facility.

Sedona Tourism Industry tops $1 billion Annual Impact for First Time

For the first time, Sedona’s tourism industry has topped $1 billion in annual economic impact, according to the Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center. The analysis shows tourism is Sedona’s largest employment sector, with 9,870 jobs linked to the industry. Direct annual impact, such as total sales and employee income, stands at $908.5 million. Tourism businesses purchase $100.1 million in goods and services from Sedona-based suppliers, who in turn provide 1,097 local jobs with an annual payroll of $25.2 million. Tourism’s economic impact aligns with Sedona’s growing sustainability practices, assuring we aren’t ‘loved to death’ as tourism surges.

Chamber gets Governor’s Award for Sustainable Tourism Plan

The Sedona Sustainable Tourism Plan and the Chamber received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Cultural and Historic Preservation at the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Tourism in 2019. The recognition is a win for the hundreds of Sedonans and visitors who participated in the 18-month process and to the Sedona City Council, who helped fund and unanimously approved the Plan, a first for an Arizona destination. The process featured surveys, public meetings, academic experts and nationally known tourism strategic planners. The Plan includes dozens of tactics to balance Sedona’s four ‘pillars’ of environment, economy, quality of life and visitor experience.

Straw Free and Water Refill Stations a hit with Businesses and Public

The 51 Straw Free Sedona restaurants have eliminated one million plastic straws from Sedona’s waste stream in the last year, demonstrating the impact of sustainable business practices in our environmentally sensitive community. Three new water refill stations have saved 24,000 plastic bottles, showing the power of individual commitment to sustainable action. Straw Free Sedona continues to grow, with more restaurants and food vendors choosing to discontinue plastic straws and provide paper straws only on request. More water refill stations are on tap too. It is all part of the growing sustainability consciousness in Sedona’s business, resident and visitor sectors.

New Sedona Businesses

Sky Rock Inn of Sedona

After a multi-million-dollar renovation,
the Sky Rock Inn of Sedona is sporting a new terraced design and promenade deck maximizing a stunning hilltop location. Unwind at the Sky Rock Lounge or stargaze from the terrace and soak up the warm glow of our fire pits. Sky Rock is a place to uplift minds, bodies and souls in Sedona’s inspiring natural beauty.

Element by Westin

The New Element Sedona Hotel opened in February, inspired by Westin® Hotels & Resorts. The New Element reflects the smart design of urban residences with the flowing layouts of guest rooms maximizing space and enabling multiple uses. Ideally located, the New Element is just steps away from the breathtaking red rocks, famous restaurants and premium shopping.

The Vault Uptown

The Vault Uptown is an experience unlike any in the world – with stunning views complementing an open kitchen and charming half-moon booths that allow 360-degree views. The bar is directly against the patio windows and adjacent to a 1,000-sf patio overlooking some of the most spectacular red rock formations in the world.