Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport was named the nation鈥檚 best airport by the Wall Street Journal in its latest rankings. Perks include a solid variety of flights and airlines, plenty of amenities, and a lack of weather-related flight cancellations.

This honor comes from the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 of the country鈥檚 busiest airports. Sky Harbor was also named best airport in 2019. This year PHX scored a 63.4 out of 100, the best out of any airport. 

The report by The Journal evaluates the top 50 U.S. airports using 30 criteria split into two traveler-centric categories: one assessing reliability and the other focusing on value and convenience.

鈥淚鈥檝e been at the airport dozens of times over the last year and a half for major announcements 鈥� the opening of the new Eighth Concourse; the opening Stage 2 of the PHX Sky Train庐; the launch of mobile ID for Apple Wallet, the launch of Waymo, new air service announcements, Dementia-Friendly initiatives, and making burgers with Bobby Flay,鈥� Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. 鈥淎ll those announcements and the hard work of the Sky Harbor team have been adding up. Their dedication and devotion earned us this recognition from the Wall Street Journal, and we couldn鈥檛 do it without our amazing Aviation team and everyone who makes the airport run.鈥�

Each category contributed equally to an airport’s total score, with 10 reliability measures, encompassing factors like Transportation Security Administration wait times and duration on the tarmac. Ultimately, the main concern in travel revolves around on-time arrivals.

鈥淲hat an asset for the Valley and the state to have a modern, convenient, traveler-friendly airport offering flights all over the country and to Europe, Canada, and Mexico. Sky Harbor definitely enhances Arizona鈥檚 tourism environment,鈥� Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association President and CEO Kim Grace Sabow said. 鈥淲hen we welcome travelers from all over the world, Arizona makes a great first impression.鈥�

Sky Harbor experienced minimal flight cancellations compared to other major airports, boasted shorter delays, and notably reduced wait times on the tarmac before takeoff or reaching the gate. On average, the duration for planes to taxi out 鈥� from gate departure to takeoff 鈥� clocked in at under 15 minutes, a stark contrast to JFK’s average of 26 minutes.

American and Southwest airlines, which have major operations at the airport, accommodate nearly three-quarters of all passengers and proved to be consistently dependable. Sky Harbor also exhibited good performance in financial aspects such as airfares and Uber expenses to downtown, along with impressive amenities like efficient baggage claim and well-equipped car rental services. However, it showed a downside in rental car expenses during the November weekend in which the pricing study was conducted. 

Airport director Chad Makovsky said, 鈥淎t the end of the day, we鈥檙e trying to keep the stress down for customers.鈥�

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A new from the American Gas Association (AGA) explores how the American hospitality sector relies on natural gas, consuming 300 billion cubic feet in natural gas annually. That means that the U.S. hospitality sector consumes more natural gas each year than the entire state of Maryland, which has a population of 6.16 million people. 

One of the primary uses of natural gas within the sector includes restaurants鈥� use of gas appliances. 鈥淣atural gas is not just a utility but an irreplaceable component in many cooking styles,鈥� the report鈥檚 authors explain. As cities and states like have moved to restrict the use of natural gas, many restaurants have been hit with economic hardship. 

Such regulations can discourage business and job growth.  

The report鈥檚 authors cite the example of Ron Salisbury, a California restaurant owner who chose to add a new location in Salt Lake City rather than the business鈥� hometown in California because of that state鈥檚 excessive natural gas regulations. 鈥淭he future in California doesn’t look good, and Utah, by contrast, looks extremely bright,鈥� he. 

Utah a law blocking cities and localities from implementing natural gas bans in 2021. Arizona a similar law in 2020. A bipartisan coalition of state legislators worked with then-Gov. Doug Ducey to the nation鈥檚 first prohibition of natural gas bans. The bill prevented cities and municipalities from restricting the use of natural gas for new buildings.  

In addition to direct natural gas consumption by food services and drinking places; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodation, the industry relies on indirect consumption.  

Top upstream consumers include sectors such as petrochemical manufacturing, maintenance and repair construction, as well as several agribusiness segments. Limiting natural gas usage throughout the supply stream would have upward price effects on the hospitality industry, raising prices across the board. 

鈥淚f hotels, restaurants, or amusement parks were restricted from using natural gas, families could see a $500 annual increase in costs,鈥� says Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the AGA. 鈥淭he U.S. hospitality sector has world-class appeal, attracting guests from all over the world and providing unmatched cuisines and entertainment. Natural gas鈥� role in enabling those unique experiences may be underappreciated, but it is indispensable.鈥� 

Kim Grace Sabow, the president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, agrees. 

鈥淪o much that goes into making Arizona鈥檚 world-class properties comfortable and welcoming is out of guests鈥� view, including the contribution of natural gas,鈥� Grace Sabow said. 鈥淥ur chefs depend on gas stoves to cook five-star meals, ensure our guests have hot showers and, when the weather turns chilly, gas fireplaces and outdoor fire amenities. Natural gas is essential to a thriving Arizona tourism industry.鈥� 

The report is part of a larger project titled the Advancing America Series in which the AGA highlights the critical role natural gas plays in important industries like hospitality and agriculture.  

As progressive policymakers move to, the AGA sees this sort of public information campaign as a useful means of educating the public on what further regulations — let alone bans — on natural gas would mean for consumers. 

鈥淎ll stakeholders, including, state and federal policymakers, consumer protection advocates, and labor advocates, should pay close attention to these findings and the significant impact that restrictions on natural gas could have for so many iconic businesses and destinations,鈥� Harbert said.

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The Arizona Office of Tourism recently released new research reaffirming that Arizona has solidified its status as a top-tier travel destination. 

Research shows that the state is ahead of the national average in post-pandemic tourism recovery.

In calendar year 2021, Arizona outpaced the national rate for both visitor spending and overnight stays. Arizona recovered 87% of its 2019 overnight visitor rate and 92% of the 2019 visitor spending rate.

Additionally, overnight visitors spent $23.6 billion across the state of Arizona, which falls just short of the all-time high mark set in 2019 of $25.6 billion. The 2021 data indicates visitors spent $64.7 million per day. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 no surprise to see droves of people coming to visit our state. Tourism in Arizona directly translates into economic benefits for communities statewide,鈥� Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said. 鈥淭his is a huge testament to the efforts of Director Debbie Johnson, the AOT team and all the hard-working people across Arizona鈥檚 tourism industry.鈥� 

On the county level, tourism numbers are starting to trend upwards as well. In 2021, 8 of 15 counties fully recovered or surpassed 2019 levels in visitor spending. 

The year-over-year increase in tourism from 2020 to 2021 brought in $3.4 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Tourism-generated revenues reduced the tax burden per household in  

鈥淎rizona鈥檚 tourism industry continues to do an outstanding job of marketing our state鈥檚 amazing experiences and wide-open spaces to leisure travelers,鈥� said Debbie Johnson, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. 鈥淭here鈥檚 strong competition and plenty of work ahead, but we鈥檙e very happy that visitors are seeing and selecting Arizona as one of their favorite vacation destinations.鈥�

While the tourism industry is still working to recover to the levels that it was at in 2019, which is regarded as the banner year for Arizona tourism, the research points toward positive growth and recovery in the state for the industry. In the last quarter of 2021, domestic overnight visitation levels surpassed those in the same time frame in 2019 by 1.2%. 

The Arizona Office of Tourism is continuing to promote visitation to the state. These efforts include ongoing visitor marketing campaigns, supporting industry partners and communities with strategic planning and promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

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Nineteen months after closing the United States border for health concerns during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, land border crossings between Arizona and Sonora are again open to tourists. As of November 8, the border is open to those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine. 

The reopening comes just in time for the peak holiday shopping season. Nogales, Ariz. Mayor Arturo Garino and city officials are maintaining hope that there will be a surge in tourist numbers to counteract the economic hardships that border towns faced during the pandemic. 

鈥淲e have worked very hard to make sure that we have done our part to have that port open. With the help of our health department, the city and the county, we will hopefully be successful with this and end this year on a good note,鈥� 

Arizona鈥檚 Santa Cruz County depends heavily on cross-border traffic. Visitors who come through the Mexican border contribute between of the sales tax revenue in the Arizona border communities. 

With things starting to make a return to normal there is hope that the economy will return to pre-pandemic levels. 

During the holiday season Nogales, Ariz. typically receives anywhere from shoppers who are coming across the Mexican border. Crossings last year decreased significantly, hurting the businesses that depend on this traffic. 

In a produced by the Nogales-Santa Cruz County 小红帽直播app of Commerce touting the border鈥檚 reopening, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manuel Ruiz said Nogales and the county are looking forward to seeing friends and family from Sonora.

鈥淚 have a lot of friends and family in Nogales, Sonora,鈥� Ruiz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be great to see all of you back. We鈥檙e going to welcome you with open arms. The old adage is 鈥�mi casa es su casa.鈥� You鈥檙e welcome to come and shop. It helps everyone. It helps in our communities with the sales tax revenue and, more important, we can hire people back so that they can go back to work and have money for the holidays that are coming up.鈥�

In the two years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 20 businesses in Nogales alone have had to close due to the pandemic-induced economic hardship.

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Arbor Lodging Partners, a Chicago-based hotel investment and management company, recently announced its latest acquisition in downtown Phoenix. The AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, at 414 North 5th Street.

The location is near Chase Field, Talking Stick Resort Arena, the Arizona State University Downtown campus, and many other sports arenas, restaurants, and local attractions.

Boasting 199 luxury rooms and suites, the hotel is also home to the AC Lounge and AC Kitchen, capable of serving 鈥渁 European-Style breakfast and can also accommodate special culinary events,鈥� according to the company. This goes without mentioning the robust event spaces the hotel has built in.

The firm that acquired the hotel is an award-winning brand, honored by 鈥淎mericas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) with the Merger & Acquisition of the Year 2020 award for its substantial 12-hotel portfolio acquisition in January of 2020.鈥�

Downtown Phoenix鈥檚 growth

Phoenix is now the city in America, and overtook Philadelphia this past year to become the nation鈥檚 fifth-largest city by population.

Beyond rapid population growth, , too. 

鈥淲ith a personal income growth rate of 8.4%, Arizona tied with Montana for the fastest rate of growth in personal income in 2020,鈥� Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said after a Bureau of Economic Statistics analysis was released earlier this year.

While the pandemic depressed the growth of Phoenix and Arizona鈥檚 hospitality industry, 鈥渂usiness- and travel-related restrictions related to COVID-19 have been less strict in Phoenix than in other markets, tourism and group business.鈥� , 鈥淚n 2020, 23 new hotels were built in Arizona despite the poor hotel performance.鈥�

Arbor Lodging Partners鈥� bet on Arizona, and on Phoenix, are a preview of the post-COVID growth the state and the Valley will continue to experience as vaccinations become more widespread and the world recovers from the coronavirus.

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The hotel industry suffered some of the most blistering financial setbacks during the pandemic and is facing a longer recovery than most other sectors. But when it comes to the latest federal relief package, they鈥檙e feeling left out, industry leaders said last week at a forum hosted by the (AZTLA). 

While restaurants and the airlines received designated relief in the legislation, the hotel industry barely received a mention. The oversight is likely due to misconceptions about the industry, they said. 

鈥淏ecause there are big names on top of these hotels like a Best Western or a Marriott, people think they are global operations that own and operate all these hotels and that they鈥檙e public and they really haven鈥檛 been hurt by all this. But the reality is that the industry is made up of small business owners very similar to the restaurant industry,鈥� said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, who spoke at the forum. 

The event, entitled, Road to Recovery for the Hospitality Industry, is the first in a new series called Tourism Talks in 2021 to update members, elected officials and community members on issues important to the industry. More than 200 people including elected officials tuned in.

Travis Cutler, director of state government affairs for Marriott International and David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, were also featured speakers. hosted the forum. Kim Sabow, president and CEO of AZTLA, moderated. 

The speakers said state and national lawmakers need to be set straight about the devastation to hotels that employ workers in almost every community in America. 

Kong said that it鈥檚 been distressing to see the 鈥渢remendous pain and suffering鈥� hotel and franchise owners and their families have experienced over the past year.

鈥淚 just wish government officials and Congress, in particular, would realize we are Main Street, not Wall Street,鈥� Kong said.   

Recovery for industry to take three or more years 

While hotel operators are starting to 鈥渟ee the light at the end of the tunnel,鈥� it is projected to take until 2024 or 2025 for the industry to fully recover, Sabow said.  

鈥淭wenty-twenty was the worst year on record for the hotel industry. Covid-19 wiped out 10 years of job growth. It has hurt our communities and decimented our workforce,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith record low occupancy, the industry surpassed one billion unsold room nights for the first time in history.鈥�

Leisure travel has helped keep the lights on for some, but business travel, which accounts for 60 to 65 percent of all revenues for the industry, is nowhere near recovering. It鈥檚 down 85 percent from where it was two years ago, she said. 

Arizona lost $12 billion in direct visitor spending 

In Arizona, where tourism is a key industry, the losses have been 鈥渟taggering,鈥� Sabow said. 

Tourism was the number one export industry in Arizona before the pandemic. In 2019, 46.8 million people visited Arizona, collectively spending $25.6 billion in the state, according to the Arizona Office of Tourism. 

Over the past year, direct visitor spending dropped $12 billion, Sabow said. During the height of the pandemic, the hospitality sector lost nearly 50 percent of jobs. Hotel revenue losses amounted to $1.3 billion. State and local governments missed out on $300 million in tax revenue. 

Call to national, state elected leaders 

Sabow and the other speakers encouraged attendees to contact their state and national representatives, to remind them that the industry is made up largely of small businesses.  

They are recommending that hotels receive 25 percent of the $350 billion the recent federal stimulus package, the, that is being allocated to U.S. territories, states, and local and tribal governments.

Currently, the rescue plan mentions tourism and travel but it does not mention hotels specifically, said Cutler of Marriott. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 important we are vocal about the fact that that鈥檚 in there and making sure that (elected leaders) know it’s in there,鈥� Cutler said. 

He recommends that hospitality advocacy groups follow the lead of a few other states like Maryland and put together 鈥渢urnkey relief templates鈥� for states that lay out criteria for grant eligibility and other procedures for the hotel industry. 

鈥淲e really need to be proactive in offering relief concepts and ideas that are packaged and ready to go for these state lawmakers and decision makers as they are evaluating what to do with what they鈥檙e allocated,鈥� Cutler said.

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Marketing campaigns and legislation to revive the battered tourism industry are heating up as Arizona looks ahead to summer vacation and beyond.   

To encourage vacationers to start thinking about Arizona, the state Office of Tourism just launched the campaign with tips, guidance and suggested itineraries for Covid-safe summer fun.  

Meanwhile, a number of bipartisan bills to help the industry recover are advancing through the state Legislature. It鈥檚 been a devastating year with losses in the tens of billions of dollars, Kim Sabow, president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association (AZLTA), said during a virtual event to update members about what鈥檚 ahead.  

鈥淭he U.S. hotel industry suffered its worst year on record in 2020 with an occupancy rate of just 44 percent,鈥� Sabow said. 鈥淚t surpassed 1 billion unsold room nights for the first time in history.鈥�

She and other tourism groups are calling on employers and employees to contact their legislators to support measures including a bill that would allow for the creation of tourism marketing authorities.聽

Lawmakers advance bill to create Tourism Marketing Authorities

The measure would allow Arizona cities and towns to create funding entities to better market their best features to would-be tourists. Twin bills, Senate Bill 1101 and House Bill 2161, would allow for cities and counties to create Tourism Marketing Authorities (TMAs) that collect fees assessed on sold hotel and resort guest rooms. Those fees would then be allocated to cities and counties to use for marketing campaigns. 

If the legislature approves the measure, Arizona would be the 18th or 19th state to adopt such a law, said Brent DeRaad, president and CEO of , who described the benefits during the AZTLA webinar. Another nine states including Arizona are considering TMA laws to help the ailing industry. 

鈥淭his is enabling legislation. If it passes, it doesn鈥檛 mean you have to create a tourism marketing authority, but it gives you that ability, it gives you that additional opportunity to go out and control your destiny,鈥� DeRaad said.  

Currently, there are 184 TMAs across the U.S. If approved in Arizona, this could give communities a leg up in competing for visitors, advocates said.   

How it works 

Municipalities of any size and counties with fewer than 2 million residents would be able to form TMAs under the proposed bill. If a majority of hotels in the designated boundaries agree to create an authority district, assessments would be levied on sold hotel and resort guest rooms.

Hoteliers would vote on this assessment and have input on how the dollars are invested. TMAs can only be created if not less than 67 percent of represented hotels and resorts submit a petition to the applicable government body asking for the authority to be established. 

Assessments would be remitted to the Arizona Department of Revenue that would allocate them to applicable communities. The dollar amount assessed would be determined by each authority. 

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) in jurisdictions with TMAs would use the money for new sales, marketing and promotional projects. DMO boards also would oversee the TMAs, providing performance reports to participating county governments. 

Tourism districts generate more than $420 million annually 

To date, 184 of these agreements have been established in at least 15 states. Among those benefiting are Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, Napa Valley, Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco.  

Also referred to as Tourism Marketing Authorities or Tourism Business Improvement Districts, they generated more than $420 million in marketing revenue in 2019, according to statistics compiled by Civitas Advisors, which specializes in the creation of improvement districts.

Benefits 

TMAs provide a number of benefits, according to proponents: 

• More visitors and visitor dollars to participating communities.
• More state, county and municipal tax revenue from visitors.
• More visitor revenue to pay for Arizona education, public safety and health care.
• More jobs
• New visitor marketing, sales and promotion tailored to the participating communities

If approved the districts would probably start up next year.

Marketing dollars pay off tenfold

Before the pandemic, 46.8 million people visited Arizona in 2019 and collectively spent $25.6 billion in the state, according to the AOT. That generated  $3.78 billion in tax revenue that equalled an annual tax savings of $1,400 for every Arizona household and supported 194,300 industry jobs.

Then last year, the industry saw a $10 billion drop in revenues the first six months, said Bettina Nava, AZLTA Government Affairs Committee chair. Job losses rose as high as 50 percent by summer. 

With the vaccine, tourism should come back strong over the next few years but it will take time and investment, Nava said. Every dollar spent is well worth it.  

鈥淔or every $10 million invested, there鈥檚 a $100 million return on investment that comes back,鈥� she said. 

Find a safe road trip now

For anyone eager to start planning a road trip, the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) has put together a list of tips, guidance and socially distant options at . 

New Arizona road trip ideas will be updated seasonally throughout 2021, so travelers planning road trips are encouraged to check back regularly. To kick off the Year of the Road Trip, AZRoadTrips.com features a right now focusing on Arizona bucket list destinations. 

鈥淗aving a trip to plan and look forward to provides so many positive benefits,鈥� said Debbie Johnson, director of the AOT. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we launched Year of the Road Trip, to provide options, with safety and responsibility in mind, to those who are ready to plan their next trip.鈥�

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Arizonans now have new non-stop flight options to both Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico every day of the week.

Southwest Airlines announced it is making Phoenix Sky Harbor airport its newest international gateway. The airline also is adding other routes here and across the country. Starting Nov. 15, travelers from Phoenix can fly multiple times daily to Palm Springs as well. 

Southwest joins American Airlines in offering nonstop service from Sky Harbor to the popular Mexican destinations. 

For the Phoenix region, the news is a heartening sign of hope for the tourism industry that has lost tens of thousands of jobs due to the pandemic, according to the U.S. Labor Department statistics. 

Now, those numbers are creeping up as leisure travelers flee to warmer markets like Phoenix and skiers head to places like Telluride, airline officials said.

Phoenix City Council member Thelma Williams said the news has brought some positive excitement to the city. Before the pandemic, international flights brought more than $3 billion annually into the Arizona economy.

鈥淭hese flights will not only provide more choices for travelers, but they will continue to boost our local economy,鈥� said Williams, who chairs the city鈥檚 Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee.

Nonstop daily service to Mexico

Nonstop service now is available daily to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. Here鈥檚 the daily schedule:

• The Phoenix-to-Cabo flight departs at 10:50 a.m. and arrives at 2 p.m. 
• The Cabo-to-Phoenix flight departs  at 3 p.m. and arrives at 4:05 p.m.
• The Phoenix-Puerto Vallarta flight departs at 11 a.m. and arrives at 3:45 p.m. 
• The Puerto Vallarta-Phoenix flight leaves at 4:40 p.m. and arrives at 5:15 p.m.

Expansion of other routes in Arizona and nationwide

Southwest also announced the addition of other flights starting across the country to sunshine and snow destinations like Miami and Telluride. To see a complete listing, visit: . As always, flights as low $39 or $49 one way will be available.聽

COVID-19 protections are continuing聽

In order to protect passengers from COVID-19, Southwest Airlines is continuing to take precautions including:

• The middle seats will be left open until at least Nov. 30
• Passengers and employees are required to wear masks
• Scheduled stringent cleanings including the use of electrostatic and anti-microbial spray treatments in the cabin
• HEPA air filtering system
• Physical distancing including limited number of passengers onboard and modified boarding procedures. 

For a complete list of protections and procedures, visit:. 

Sky Harbor COVID-19 procedures

Sky Harbor also has implemented a number of procedures to protect travelers as well. For a list of its protocols and requirements, go to: .

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A measure to allow approved visitors from Mexico to travel throughout Arizona without additional documentation, instead of a mere 25 to 75 miles from the border under current law, is making its way through both houses of the U.S. Congress. 

The bill, called the Southwest Tourism Expansion Act, is receiving substantial support from local governments, tribal nations, economic groups and most of Arizona鈥檚 congressional delegation. 

One reason is an estimated $1 billion more expected in spending by tourists from Mexico, Arizona鈥檚 top foreign market. Last year, Mexican visitors spent more than $3 billion here. 

鈥淎rizona benefits in so many ways from a strong relationship with Mexico — inviting our Mexican neighbors to explore and invest more across our entire state will strengthen those ties,鈥� said Arizona U.S. Representative Greg Stanton, a key sponsor of the bill who has long advocated for the legislation including as the former mayor of Phoenix. 

Five-year pilot program 

The bill calls for a five-year pilot program to allow Mexican citizens who carry a valid Border Crossing Card (BCC) to travel statewide. 

Currently, card holders are only allowed to travel 75 miles from the border from Arizona鈥檚 land ports of entry, taking them about as far as Tucson. Traveling beyond that mile marker requires travelers to apply for additional federal documentation at the port of entry. The I-94 form requires a $6 fee. In the Yuma region, travel is even more restricted, with a 25-mile limit for BCC carrying visitors coming through the San Luis port of entry before the I-94 is required. 

The Act would allow Mexican nationals with a valid BCC card to go to spring training and visit popular spots like Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, not to mention Greater Phoenix and Flagstaff, but without having to secure the I-94.

Especially important right now 

Stanton said the bill is especially important right now when Arizona鈥檚 tourism and recreation industries 鈥渉ave taken a catastrophic hit鈥� from the pandemic. The bill would allow for a five-year pilot program to test it out.   

鈥淲e need to think ahead and be creative about how we will help those sectors rebuild and reach new audiences. This pilot program is a first step in doing so,鈥� Stanton said. 

Last week, the bill jumped a major hurdle when it was advanced as part of the House鈥檚 Fiscal Year 2021 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.

Arizona is 鈥渙pen for business鈥� 

Most of Arizona鈥檚 congressional delegation are co-sponsors, including Arizona U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R), who introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

鈥淎rizona is open for business and when we allow approved visitors into more areas of our beautiful state, we unleash the potential for greater economic growth, more jobs, and additional sales tax revenue,鈥� Sen. McSally said. 

Widespread support 

The proposal has strong support from state and local governments, economic groups, the Maricopa and the Arizona , which represents 21 tribal nations. 

Mexico top foreign market for Arizona

Mexico is Arizona鈥檚 top international market. Last year, Mexican visitors spent more than $3 billion here with 4 million overnight visits, a 5.2 percent increase over 2018, according to the Arizona Office of Tourism.

A University of Arizona study conducted at the request of MAG in 2015 found that expanding the border zone to the entire state could generate up to $181 million in additional spending during the first year. Over the five years, expanded travel for Mexican visitors would generate approximately $905 million.  

Requirements for Border Crossing Card 

• In order to obtain a BCC, applicants must provide fingerprints, photography, employment information, a security background check, and an in鈥恜erson interview.
• The BCC is a B鈥�1/B鈥�2 visa issued exclusively to Mexican citizens by the U.S. State Department and includes a radio-frequency-identification (RFID) technology chip. 
• Holders of these cards must demonstrate that they have ties to Mexico, including financial, that would compel them to return after a temporary stay in the U.S. 
• Penalties for abusing the visa include revocation of the BCC with a fee, as well as losing the privilege for future visa application.

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Before the coronavirus, Arizona鈥檚 tourism industry saw four years of record-breaking growth, with 2019 the most successful yet, according to the Arizona Office of Tourism鈥檚 (AOT) annual economic report released Wednesday. 

Visitors to the state last year generated $70 million a day, or more than $25 billion for the year. Job numbers and tax revenues supported by tourism reached new highs. Visitors from Mexico, the state鈥檚 top international market, spent more than $3 billion. 

2019 ARIZONA VISITATION DATA AT-A-GLANCE

Total Overnight Visitation: 46.8 million (Up 2.8 percent from 2018)
Visitor Spending: $25.6 billion (Up 4.7 percent)聽
Tax Revenue: $3.78 billion (Up 4.2 percent)
Jobs: 194,300 (Up 1 percent)
Earnings: $7.7 billion (Up 3.7 percent)

These and other data were released Wednesday during the annual Governor鈥檚 Conference on Tourism. The conference also featured strategies for the industry鈥檚 recovery from the pandemic. 

鈥淲hile we鈥檙e very focused on the recovery of our industry during the next year, this 2019 data helps reinforce the critical role a strong tourism industry plays in Arizona鈥檚 economic re-energization,鈥� said Debbie Johnson, director of the AOT. 

About 850 people from the state鈥檚 travel and hospitality industry tuned in virtually to attend the event. 

New marketing tactics helped showcase the state

Arizona鈥檚 stellar year for tourism in 2019 was the result of a great economy but also new approaches to marketing, Johnson said.  

鈥淚nstead of a single straight message, now we talk about the seasonality in our state. We have such geographic diversity. In March, you can ski in Flagstaff in the morning and then come down to the Valley and golf in the afternoon.鈥�

Financial free fall for industry in 2020 

Attendees also got a snapshot of how the industry is faring in 2020. Revenues are down significantly in all sectors, according to compiled for the AOT. 

For example, average daily revenue for lodging was down 14 percent in June compared to last year and down 10 percent for the year so far. Airport traffic saw an 85 percent drop in May and is down 47 percent for the year. 

Tax revenues also are suffering. In 2020, the loss of tourism revenue is expected to create a $284 million net loss to the state鈥檚 general fund.

Celebrating last year鈥檚 success 

There was some solace in reflecting on last year鈥檚 success at the conference, Johnson said. In 2019, visitors spent a record $25.6 billion, up 4.7 percent over 2018. 

Here are some key takeaways from 2019 data: 

Industry supported more than 360,000 jobs in Arizona

Spending by Arizona visitors directly generated a record 194,300 tourism industry jobs last year. When combined with indirect and induced employment, the travel industry-supported 361,300 Arizona jobs.

Record tax revenues from tourism

Record visitor spending generated another milestone — a record $3.78 billion in combined local, state and federal tax revenue. That reduced the annual tax burden by $1,400 for every Arizona household.

International visitor numbers up

Last year, Arizona welcomed 6.1 million international overnight visitors, an increase of 3.8 percent over 2018. Visitor volume increased 5.2 percent from Mexico, the state鈥檚 top international market, with 4 million overnight visitors. Arizona鈥檚 top five overseas visitor markets were Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Japan and China.

Strategic recovery plan for tourism

The AOT also unveiled its Tourism Strategic Recovery Plan at the event that offers specific tactics and to help destinations and communities recover from the pandemic.   

Presenters spoke about different strategies for recovery as travel becomes safer to attract visitors to outdoor destinations, metro Phoenix and Tucson, and rural and tribal areas. 

Suggestions for industry marketing efforts recommend a three-step strategy for recovery:

-First, market directly to Arizonans for vacations and weekend getaways within the state while travel remains restricted. To help get the word out, the AOT launched a new campaign in May to encourage residents to visit outdoor and scenic destinations across the state.  

-Second, reach out to visitors that live within six hours of Arizona鈥檚 favorite destinations.  

-Finally, focus on marketing to target cities like Denver, Dallas and Chicago once air travel is considered safe again.   

For now, there are no plans to market to the international market, Johnson said. But there is hope that the market can return in 2021.

New Leave No Trace partnership to protect scenic views  

During the conference, AOT also had a presentation on it鈥檚 new partnership with, whose mission is to educate visitors about sustainable tourism practices. The full report and a video of the conference and all the sessions will become available over the next week at: .

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