TORONTO — From new hotels and new attractions, to upcoming promotions for the retail travel trade community that include commissions, incentives and more, Lisa Urias, Executive Director for the Arizona Office of Tourism, has plenty of updates to share with Canadian travel advisors.

Travelweek recently had the chance to connect with Urias for an interview covering these need-to-knows and more.

The Q&A dovetails with the recent launch of Porter Airlines’ new daily, nonstop flights from Toronto Pearson to Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport. For more details on that service, click here.

Golfing in Phoenix (photo credit Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort)

Travelweek: What new hotels should travel advisors look for in Arizona this year?  

Urias: “Four new properties came online this year. First, VAI Resort in Glendale, an entertainment destination, will open with 13 restaurants, 10 bars and a six-acre swimming pool. Next, The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley offers luxurious experiences and accommodations including a world-class spa, views of Camelback Mountain and specialty dining. Caesars Republic Scottsdale, the first non-gaming Caesars hotel in the U.S., just opened earlier this year.

“Last but certainly not least, as of this month, there’s the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa, the first Grand Hyatt property in Arizona. The property underwent a US$115 million renovation that includes 496 updated accommodations, 18 luxury Casitas and six elevated dining experiences.”

Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort (photo credit Hyatt)

.
Travelweek: Are there any new attractions, festivals, events or tourism projects of note?

Urias: “For those who love visiting our state for the sunshine, Cannon Beach Surf Park in Mesa is set to open this month. It will be a 2.2 acre surfing lagoon with artificial waves and a beach.

“In Flagstaff, a new attraction that the entire state is really excited about is the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory, opening Nov. 16. This center will enable visitors to explore the origins and growth of the universe through the lens of astronomy with new exhibits and interactive experiences including an outdoor planetarium.

“Mattel Adventure Park, the first ever Mattel-branded theme park, will open in Glendale in 2025, bringing Barbie and her friends to life with the help of hologram technology. There will also be Hot Wheels entertainment and a roller coaster.

“And put this on the calendar: 2026 is the Route 66 Centennial. Events, festivals and promotions will be ongoing throughout next year in preparation for 2026. Arizona has some of the best-preserved stretches of the historic Route 66.”

.

Travelweek: What are some good commissionable opportunities for Canadian travel advisors?

Urias: “We’re collaborating with tour operators and will be launching two major incentive programs this winter that will be tied to sales performance. These programs will not only offer commissions and additional incentives, they’ll also provide the opportunity to gain deeper knowledge of the destination. By doing so, agents will be better equipped to offer fresh, trend-adapting experiences to their clients.”

.

Travelweek: What arrival numbers are you seeing from Canada lately?

 Urias: “The 2023 numbers will be ready very soon. In 2022 there were 229,900 Canadian visitors to the state of Arizona.”

.

Travelweek: How are bookings from Canada looking for the rest of 2024 and into 2025? 

Urias: “Bookings look positive. There is a growing trend towards early booking and the pace is picking up after the summer season. Customers know that booking early will help them secure preferred rates, especially for peak travel periods like Christmas and spring break.”

.

Travelweek: Who’s visiting Arizona from the Canadian market, in terms of special interests, demographics, that sort of thing? 

Urias: “Winter visitors, AKA snowbirds, are those retirees or semi-retirees who escape Canada’s cold winters to spend extended periods of time in Arizona, particularly from provinces like B.C. and Alberta. They’re attracted to the mild winter climate, affordable living costs and abundant golf courses.

“We also get a lot of outdoor enthusiasts, those Canadians who enjoy Arizona’s diverse outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and exploring natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Sedona’s red rock landscapes.

The Grand Canyon at sunrise (photo courtesy of the Arizona Office of Tourism)

“Luxury and wellness travel is very strong especially with high-end Canadian travellers who are seeking out Arizona’s luxury resorts, spas and wellness retreats, particularly in destinations like Scottsdale.

“We get plenty of Canadians looking for family-friendly trips, who are drawn to Arizona’s national parks, zoos, museums and cultural attractions. We’re also seeing a rise in FITs and couples from Canada who are choosing Arizona as a preferred destination of choice.”

Wellness travel is big business in Arizona (photo credit Arizona Office of Tourism)

.

Travelweek: How is Arizona working to connect with Canadian travel advisors?

Urias: “We’re actively engaging with Canadian travel agents through a variety of initiatives. We participate in key trade shows from coast to coast and organize an annual AOT mission in key cities to connect with travel agents and key partners, ensuring Arizona remains top of mind in the Canadian market.

“We also collaborate with tour operators and we’re looking forward to our two major incentive programs this winter. As mentioned these programs will offer commissions, incentives and destination information.

“Additionally, we offer FAM trips, trade show incentives and in-market training sessions. Our new webinar series brings Arizona partners into live sessions, offering more engaging participation and local insights.

“The Arizona Travel Specialist program, complemented by our newly updated Travel Guide, serves as a key educational tool. To further support agents, we keep advisors informed through our monthly newsletter.”

The Arizona Office of Tourism is represented in Canada by Reach Global Marketing. To learn more about travel to Arizona, go to VisitArizona.com. Watch for more Arizona coverage this week in Travelweek Daily.