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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 New York City 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
S. PR Agency of Record: IT Public Relations NYC – Janet Mick at jmick@itpublicrelations.com
Attractions
 
For a rocking good time in Tucson visit the new UA Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum
The UA Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum at the Historic Pima County Courthouse, 115 N. Church, in downtown Tucson is now open. The facility highlights more than 12,000 square feet of display galleries, showcasing gems, minerals, and fossils from around the world. This world-class museum also features a library, research lab, mineralogy lab, and community classroom. With many interactives, touchables, and digital content, there is something for everyone! A grand opening event will take place February 3, 2022, during the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase.
Contact: Selena Valencia
Tel: 520-621-7320
Email: selenavalencia@arizona.edu
Remembering the Future: 100 Years of Inspiring Art at the Heard Museum
The Heard Museum’s new exhibition, opened on October 26, 2021, Remembering the Future: 100 Years of Inspiring Art reflects 100 years of Indigenous creative expression and elevates the artists who have been central to the Native American Fine Art Movement. The exhibition showcases paintings, photography, sculpture and digital works of art produced by leading American Indian artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. It includes 75 works of art drawn from the Heard’s permanent collection that illustrate a progression of ideas and aesthetic expressions defining a major artistic movement that began in the early 20th century. Early works featured in the exhibition are by artists including Fred Kabotie (Hopi), Tonita Peña (San Ildefonso Pueblo) and Carl Sweezy (Southern Arapaho). The most recent include 21st century works by Kent Monkman (Cree), Tanya Lukin Linklater (Alutiiq) and Steven J. Yazzie (Navajo).
The exhibition offers visitors a reminder of the many contributions that Indigenous artists have made to American art as well as the powerful ways that art can inspire and help us to better understand the world we share. The span of one century is meant to convey, with meaningful depth of perspective and certitude, that in remembering the history of American Indian art, the Heard Museum is also remembering the future. The exhibit continues through October 2022.
PR Contact: Todd Vigil
Tel: 480-227-5779
Email: tvigil@heard.org
Media Kit: heard.org/RTFMEDIAKIT
Culinary
Two new venues are now open at The Westin Tempe
The Westin Tempe has announced its signature restaurant, Terra Tempe Kitchen + Cocktails, and the Valley’s highest rooftop bar, Skysill Rooftop Lounge, are now open and being led by seasoned local Chef Alexander Robinson. The two brand-new concepts serve locals looking for a chic, new venue for happy hour and leisurely travelers spending time in the city. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the ground-floor Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits features a menu of healthy Modern-American cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and an expansive list of local Arizona brews as well as wines and hand-crafted cocktails. In contrast, Skysill Rooftop Lounge soars above the city on the hotel’s 18th floor, making it the highest open-air rooftop bar in town. The venue offers a hip, relaxing escape during the daytime with its rooftop pool, jacuzzi, daybeds and cabanas, and large video screen overlooking the vast metropolitan Phoenix area. As the sun sets over the mountain horizon, it then transitions to a luxurious lounge where all levels of service and experience are elevated. As the latest addition to the city’s bustling corridor, The Westin Tempe is just steps from some of the area’s best shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment destinations, plus local landmarks like Tempe Town Lake, “A” Mountain (Hayden Butte), Mill Avenue District and Tempe Beach Park.
PR Contact: Jan Bracamonte / 480-540-3842 / jan@jlaurenpr.com
Savannah Kirmis / 480-626-8290 / savannah@jlaurenpr.com
General
 
Visit Mesa launches Aira, guided visual interpretation services for visitors and residents
As part of Visit Mesa’s ongoing mission to ensure Mesa, Ariz. is regarded as one of the nation’s most accessible travel destinations, they have launched a partnership with Aira, an on-demand visual interpretation service. It launched on Oct. 15, National Blind Americans Equality Day. Aira is a new accessibility technology that serves people who are blind or have low vision. Prior to arrival, visitors can download the Aira app to their smartphone and get access to a trained Aira agent who can assist with trip planning. While in Mesa’s city limits, visitors can access the agent to guide them throughout public buildings, attractions, restaurants, hotels and more. Customers of Aira are referred to as Explorers and this instant access to visual information at the touch of a button will enhance everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. The service outside of Mesa’s borders is complimentary for up to five minutes and then fees apply. Both iOS and Android phones are supported. Visit Mesa helped establish the Mesa Regional Foundation for Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion to enhance and implement equity, diversity and inclusion for youth and adults within the Mesa community. The Foundation supports programs that expand upon accessibility throughout Mesa with a special emphasis on technology.
Watch this video to see how Aira visual interpretation services impact the community: https://youtu.be/9Q0sKwbG0jc
PR Contact: Michelle Streeter, Chief Communications Officer, Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-682-3638 Toll-free: 800-283-6372 x345
E-mail: Michelle@VisitMesa.com
Field of Honor opened in Chandler
The City of Chandler unveiled the Field of Honor, on November 11, 2021 to honor past, present, and future military veterans from Chandler and the Southeast Valley and to provide a tranquil place for reflection on the sacrifices made by our country’s service members. YESCO, fabricated and installed the memorial at Veterans Oasis Park located at 4050 East Chandler Heights Road on the northeast corner of Chandler Heights and Lindsay roads. The memorial is approximately two acres with a Stars And Stripes level that includes 121 RGB LED structures of varying heights to mimic the shape of and designed to match the exact ratio of the American Flag. An elevated Family Plaza overlook replicates the simplicity of the Arizona State flag for a better view of the memorial’s Stars And Stripes level. One of Chandler’s most iconic landmarks, on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force, the F-86d Sabre Dog Korean War-era plane was taken down from its former location for restoration and then added to the memorial. Twenty-one lighted plinths are submerged entirely below earth, symbolizing a 21-gun salute for soldiers who have not returned from war.
PR Contact: Toni Smith, Toni.Smith@chandleraz.gov
Tel: 480-782-2701
For YESCO: Erika Pope/ Vanessa Thill, The Vox Agency
Email: erika@thevoxagency.com, vanessa@thevoxagency.com
Tel: 702-249-2977, 469-226-4723
Hotel News
 
Amara Resort and Spa Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
Amara Resort and Spa, located in the heart of Uptown Sedona, recently announced that it has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation encompassing all 100 guestrooms and public spaces, including the resort’s signature restaurant, SaltRock Southwest Kitchen and award-winning Amara Spa.
Amara’s refreshed look takes inspiration from the surrounding red rocks and focuses on bringing the outdoors in to create a “tree-lodge” aesthetic. The lobby features vaulted ceilings and are adorned with two chandeliers inspired by star constellations. SaltRock, includes expanded seating accented by burnt orange velvet banquettes, Himalayan salt accent walls, a live-edge community dining table, and a more open and inviting bar. The Amara Spa has been upgraded with new finishes and features including the addition of a brand-new 24-hour fitness center and retail outpost. For meetings and events, the resort’s five flexible event areas, of more than 4,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, have also been refreshed.
PR Contact: Jan Bracamonte / 480-540-3842 / jan@jlaurenpr.com
Savannah Kirmis / 480-626-8290 / savannah@jlaurenpr.com
Sustainability
 
Red Rock OHV Conservation Crew Announces Dedicated Funds for Trail Improvements and OHV Rider Education in Greater Sedona
The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau recently announced the formation of the Red Rock OHV Conservation Crew (RROCC), a coalition of more than a dozen private industry partners from Cottonwood to Sedona to Flagstaff in partnership with Tread Lightly!, a national nonprofit group dedicated to ethical and responsible motorized recreation, to tackle the effect of increased Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use in the region. Private OHV rental and guided tour companies began in September dedicating 1% of sales to land preservation and rider education. During the pandemic, the number of OHV’s registered in Arizona skyrocketed to more than 452,000. This coupled with urbanites flocking to Sedona to socially distance outdoors while enjoying motorized recreation provided by regional businesses raised community concerns. Fortunately, the OHV businesses along with Tread Lightly! are doing their part to reduce resource impacts, address stakeholder concerns and improve recreation opportunities while striking a balance between the right to recreate on public lands with environmental stewardship, preservation of cultural heritage and resident quality of life. RROCC is working with Tread Lightly! to produce educational content on public safety, limiting speed, noise and dust, respecting others who use the roads, observing sensitive areas such as the grasslands west of Sedona and leaving historical or archeological sites undisturbed.
PR Contact: Heather Hermen, Front Burner Media
Tel: 928-202-2374
Email: heather@frontburnermedia.com
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.
 
Flair Airlines is expanding and have launched the sale of flights to Mesa from four Canadian gateways:
Edmonton: starting December 17th and will operate as much as 3x per week
Vancouver: starting December 17th. 2x per week
Toronto: starting December 5th. Weekly to start. Moving to 2x per week as of December 16th
Calgary: starting December 17th. 2x per week
Allegiant Airlines began nonstop service from Phoenix to Provo, Utah on Oct. 8. On Oct. 15, the airline launched nonstop service to Stockton, Calif. Both flights operate twice a week.
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.
 
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.