AOT News
AppreciateAZ Day is Tuesday, October 4 and the Arizona Office of Tourism is inviting all Arizonans to get “AppreciateAZ certified” in responsible tourism principles to celebrate the first-ever AppreciateAZ Day. Certification, which only takes about 10 minutes via an online course, equips Arizonans and visitors with simple guidelines to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Everyone who completes the training by Friday, Oct. 14 is automatically entered to win one of five custom AppreciateAZ prize boxes.
AOT is also concurrently launching the AppreciateAZ Ambassadors program, which empowers Arizonans with a passion for responsibly exploring the state to share their experiences with others. The AppreciateAZ Program was created in partnership with Leave No Trace, which uses science, education, stewardship and simple guidelines to support and protect nature. Find more information and resources at AppreciateAZ.com
Media Contact: Josh Coddington
Tel: (480) 438-4700
Email: jcoddington@tourism.az.gov
Attractions
Explore Tempe Through a new 360-Degree Virtual Tour
Immerse yourself in Tempe’s major landmarks, attractions, hotels, and more in this brand-new aerial tour of Tempe. See Downtown Tempe and ASU in a whole new light while jumping from attractions to landmarks. You can also find hotels with ease near Arizona State University, Downtown Tempe, Arizona Mills, Tempe Diablo Stadium, or Tempe Marketplace. Using the SkyNav map is a fun way to plan your next trip to Tempe!
Media Contact: Michael Martin
Tel: (480) 305-1370
Email: michael@tempetourism.com
Old Tucson Returns
In October 2022, Old Tucson re-opened its doors to the public. The Western town’s legacy is rooted in its 1890-themed buildings, which serve as the backdrop for popular movies such as the Three Amigos, El Dorado, and Tombstone. And while Old Tucson will continue to woo filmmakers, visitors will also get a chance to experience it firsthand. The ever-popular Halloween-themed Nightfall will be the public’s first opportunity to visit and see the attraction transform from a western town into a haunted one. In November, Old Tucson will get visitors in the holiday spirit with Christmas-themed programming. And, beginning in January 2023, Old Tucson will debut its Western Experience on select days through April. Visitors can take a trip back to the late 1800s for a firsthand look at the Wild West with a host of characters trained in immersive theater. Old Tucson’s opening days and times are limited, so please call ahead to confirm: (520) 883-0100.
Media Contact: Denise Utter
Tel: (520) 465-4389
Email: dutter@oldtucson.com
Culinary
Prickly Pear Kitchen Brings Inspired Food + Cocktails to Page
Prickly Pear Kitchen: Inspired Food + Cocktails opened in Page September 2022, bringing to Page new culinary offerings that marry Southwest and Sonoran flavors and highlight dishes inspired by generational family recipes. Located within Canyon Country’s leading adventure-focused hotel, Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell, the restaurant’s menu combines rich Arizona flavors and edible plant life.
Open daily for lunch and dinner with prices ranging from $10-$18, a few standouts from the menu include Chicken Tortilla Soup, Southwestern Alfredo and Mango Habanero Tofu Tacos. A few standout craft cocktails include the Green Apple Pisco Sour, Tamarindo Margarita and Prickly Pear Margarita. In celebration of the restaurant’s opening, Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell is offering a limited-time stay package for the foodie-minded travelers.
Media Contact: Autumn Jarrett
Tel: (217) 413-1744
Email: Autumn@JLaurenPR.com
Accolades
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a Sustainability Leader among U.S. Airports
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s commitment to being an industry leader in sustainability was recently recognized by the Airport Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA). It is currently the only airport in the U.S. to have achieved the Transformation certification, and only one of three airports in the U.S to have achieved the Level 4/4+ rating tier. To meet the Level 4 requirements, Phoenix Sky Harbor collaborated with numerous internal and external stakeholders in identifying an ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040.
Additionally, Phoenix Sky Harbor was recognized by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) with this year’s Environmental Achievement Award in the Innovation Category for the newly opened Eighth Concourse in Terminal 4. From a ceiling comprised of recycled plastic bottles to walls incorporating sustainable paper atop recycled concrete, the Eighth Concourse features a cooling system that recycles and saves water, charging stations for electric ground service vehicles, and thousands of LED lights and water-efficient fixtures.
To find the full Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon report, visit skyharbor.com/sustainability.
Media Contact: Heather Shelbrack, Communications and Outreach Administrator
Tel: (602) 683-2634
Email: heather.shelbrack@phoenix.gov
Flights
Frontier Airlines Announces Nonstop Service from Phoenix to Detroit and Cincinnati
Ultra-low fare carrier Frontier Airlines will launch a new nonstop seasonal service from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), daily to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), and four times a week to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), beginning November 5, 2022. The new service is in addition to Frontier’s recently announced addition of 10 new routes from PHX. With the expanded service, Frontier will serve a total of 23 destinations from Phoenix Sky Harbor. Along with the airline’s upcoming new crew base, Frontier is demonstrating its strong commitment to bringing more travel options to the Phoenix community.
Media Information
Tel: (720) 374-4560
Email: media@flyfrontier.com
United Airlines Unveils New Club Location in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
United Airlines debuted its latest addition to its network of United Clubs with a brand-new 6,080 square-foot location at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Terminal 3 North (near gate E3). The club has 122 seats across areas meant for lounging, dining, relaxing, working and socializing. Flyers can enjoy a feature mural created by local artist, Blaise Danio, as well as two pieces by local artist Carolina Caples, whose paintings are an autobiographical exploration of self-discovery and growth.
The opening of the new club is a part of United’s ongoing commitment to renovate and introduce new United Club locations throughout its network. The Phoenix United Club location is the second in a series of United Club locations opening in 2022.
Media Contact: Amy Fisher
Tel: (917) 930-0062
Email: amy.fisher@united.com
Hotel News
From Clear Skies to Clear Springs: Castle Hot Springs Offers a New Travel Experience
Castle Hot Springs, and regional semi-private jet service JSX, have joined forces to offer an exclusive new ‘best-in-class’ luxury travel experience, until the end of June 2023. The new travel package allows customers to simply hop on & fly via JSX, arriving at a private air terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and within one hour enjoy exclusive benefits at Castle Hot Springs, including a resort discount and choice of custom amenities.
The 30-room desert oasis boasts contemporary luxury in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Castle Hot Springs’ amenities and activities range from soaking in the mineral-rich geothermal hot springs to scaling Arizona’s only Via Ferrata adventure course, or a leisurely tour and taste of the property’s award-winning and sustainably-driven farm to pick from an array of produce that is featured within the on-property dining destination, Harvest Restaurant.
The property also recently introduced a new wellness menu with enhanced treatments, therapies, and body rituals that maximize the benefits of the hot springs’ unique mineral mixture which calm your mind and ease physical stress. New experiences include a Gong Bath Sound Ceremony, Mindfulness Activities, a Homegrown Gardening Workshop, Scenic Desert E-Bike Tour, and an ATV Razor Tour.
Media Contact: Carrie Rollings, Modern Currency PR
Tel: (323) 377-7210
Email: Carrie@moderncurrencypr.com
Roberts Resorts Launches “Village Camp”
Village Camp, a new concept in RV resorts, is being launched along with resort communities near Flagstaff, Arizona. Developed by Roberts Resorts, Village Camp will be an upscale resort chain that combines oversized RV sites with luxury cabins that can be rented or purchased as private getaway cabins. Village Camp Flagstaff is expected to open in 2022 with limited amenities.
When complete, Village Camp Flagstaff will have 175 lots, of those, 38 will be rental cabins. Cabins manufactured by Cavco Industries and Lakeside Clayton Park Models will also be offered for sale beginning November 2022 with the remaining lots being set aside for RVs. Village Camp will also include ten furnished safari tents, available summer of 2023.
Media Contact: Amy Arnold
Tel: (480) 235-0687
Email: aarnold@robertsrc.com
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Announces $80 Million Transformation as it Celebrates its 20th Anniversary
Showcasing a fresh, modern design inspired by the Sonoran Desert, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa introduced a refreshed lobby, beautifully redesigned guest rooms, and the resort’s new signature restaurant, Tía Carmen. In 2023, plans to introduce three new exhilarating five-story tall waterslides including the thrilling Boomerango, the only dual-person vertical wall tube slide at a resort west of the Mississippi. The new Sky Island will be a secluded adults-only retreat featuring an infinity pool and a VIP welcome attendant. Sedona Spa will offer a VIP family-friendly sanctuary including a large infinity edge jacuzzi and firepit seating with a soothing waterfall feature. A new Pan-Asian restaurant concept, Kembara, helmed by Executive Chef Angelo Sosa, is set to open in fall 2023.
Guests seeking an elevated desert escape can book the resort’s 20th Anniversary Package for $20,000, which includes:
Four nights’ accommodations in the presidential suite
Access for two to the exclusive Griffin Club each day
Private cooking class and dinner at Tía Carmen with “Top Chef” alumni Executive Chef Sosa
Sunrise hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast with Hot Air Expeditions
Pickleball lessons with a pickleball teaching pro and custom Recess pickleball paddles
Round of golf with a pro at Wildfire Golf club
Lazy River Suite at the pool
A day of pampering at Revive Spa with two treatments per person and Spa Cabana by the pool
Day trip to the Grand Canyon with WestWind Air Service including an aerial flight over this Natural Wonder of the World and a ground tour with Pink Jeep Tours
Media Contact: Cassie Down
Tel: (619) 255-7069
Email: cdown@jpublicrelations.com
Amara Resort & Spa Debuts Sedona Adventure Package for the Fall Season
For travelers looking to experience the seasonal magic that is Sedona during the autumn months, Amara Resort and Spa is offering a Sedona Adventure Package that encourages guests to get out and explore the natural beauty of the Red Rock Country. Available to book now through November 30, the package includes a Seven-day Red Rock Pass, a complimentary guidebook to help guests navigate some of the most popular trails in Red Rock Country, one picnic lunch prepared by SaltRock’s culinary team, which is packed in a souvenir Amara cooler bag, and daily fresh-squeezed juice or smoothie. Minimum starting from $435 per night, two-night stay required.
Media Contact: Rachel Eroh
Tel: (928) 231-0112
Email: Rachel@JLaurenPR.com
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.
Connect
Newsroom: https://www.visitarizona.com/newsroom/
Official State Travelers Guide:
http://digital.milespartnership.com/view/arizona-official-travel-guide/arizona-official-state-travel-guide/arizona-2022-23
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