Arizona ramps up outreach to Canadian travellers at T.O. event

Canadian travel media were treated to a gust of warm Arizona desert air at the Writer's Room at the Park Hyatt on a snowy February afternoon (Feb. 3), thanks to the Arizona Office of Tourism.

Arizona is home to lush oases in the Sonoran Desert and remains a major draw for lovers of stunning natural beauty — from dramatic canyons to clear night skies perfect for stargazing. 

But there's no denying the current political situation is having an impact.

"We know that over 70 per cent of Canadians are travelling to the United States. We do know that the guts of our numbers are coming from the drive market. That's what's really pulling the numbers down," said Charmaine Singh, president & CEO of Reach Global Marketing, which represents Arizona Tourism in Canada. 

"Canada is our second largest market, and always will be," said Marjorie Magnusson, media relations manager, Arizona Tourism. 

"Our 2024 numbers showed 852,000, up 3.6 per cent year over year. We don't have numbers for 2025 yet but we know that Canadians are traveling to Arizona because Porter is just launching new daily flights from Vancouver and Ottawa. They're running these flights for a reason...but we do see that some of the rural areas like the southeastern and Winslow are missing their Canadian snowbirds."

Despite these headwinds, Arizona showcased its depth of culture and natural beauty, giving lesser-known communities like Gilbert and Lake Havasu centre stage.

Farming in the desert

"Gilbert is America's largest town, actually beating Scottsdale by population, at 300,000," said Michelle Streeter, PR Manager for Gilbert. 

"We're a hub for private and public investment, but also for agriculture."

Agritopia is a unique 166-acre planned community that consists of several hundred single-family units and commercial spaces alongside a functioning urban farm, orchard and a variety of crops. 

Chefs and culinary personalities call the area home, and there are always new concepts opening up, as well as winemaking and workshops.

"We have 110 acres of wetland reserve in Gilbert and just partnered with the Audubon Society on birding tours. Don't knock birding. It's very fun and will get to you at some point."

Lake Havasu, a desert oasis

Lake Havasu, on the Arizona-California border, is an intimate desert town of 60,000.

"You could pass our turnoff on the freeway and never know you missed it. You're not going to know it's there unless you're trying to get there, which really makes it special," said Tanya Pickren, PR manager for Lake Havasu. 

But visitors would be missing a lot.

The lake has an island, hundreds of coves to explore and is recognized by Condé Nast as one of the United States' top 15 beaches. 

There's also a bridge made from actual sections of London Bridge that were imported in 1969.

"It's a beautiful place with plenty of resorts and vacation rentals. No matter what part of town you're staying in, you'll always have a lake view, and then you turn around and you have the mountains." There's also a $7 million boutique-themed resort planned on the island for 2027.

The lake is active year-round. 

"We're huge for watersports like boating, SUP and jet skiing, but also hiking and off-roading in the fall."

Scottsdale

Scottsdale will always be hip, with its Frank Lloyd Wright heritage and building designs from his protégé, Paolo Soleri, along with many trendy restaurants and art galleries.

The town is surging into the new year with marquee resort openings, must-try dining, immersive spa experiences, and a packed calendar of art, sports and cultural events.

"This year, they're unveiling the $25-million transformation of the new JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. It's gorgeous and Bill Marriott's favourite spa to vacation at with his family," said Melanie Greco, Canadian PR rep for Scottsdale. 

"Highlights of the spa include 20 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, an indoor Wellness Circuit, new Wellness Studio with sound baths, the debut of Ora Café, and a licensed nutritionist."

Wolf by Vanderpump (a project by Vanderpump Alain, the design firm by Lisa Vanderpump of reality TV) is another notable opening at Caesars Republic, the casino brand's first non-gaming establishment. 

Guests can enjoy panoramic desert views from the Camelback Veranda while dining on a globally influenced menu of upscale comfort food in an opulent two-story environment.

Scottsdale is also known for sporting events like the hugely popular PGA Phoenix Open, and Cactus League spring training, hosting the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Navajo Nation

Tourism is a growing industry for the 400,000-strong Navajo Nation — actually its own sovereign nation — with four hotels coming up in the next 18 months in the Four Corners area and near Lake Powell.

"Our beauty is our people and our people is our culture," said Sharlene Begay-Platero, division director, Navajo Nation. 

"There are Navajos that love to share that and have started their own tour guide businesses."

The area's tourism appeal is significant.

"We attract upwards of 800,000 visitors a year because of the Grand Canyon and Page [the gateway city to the canyon]," add William Raines, department manager, Navajo Nation. 

"The nation is a very unique experience. You can go to Cabo and catch a wave or go fishing, but if you want an experience off the beaten path, we'll take you horseback riding, rock climbing, ceremonies with father sky, and Mother Earth, where your being feels full."

Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Shiprock Pinnacle, and the Navajo Nation capital, Window Rock, are all worthy of exploration and have Navajo-run tours.

Route 66 centennial

With the Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026 approaching, Arizona is highlighting several new experiences along its portion of the Mother Road.

In Kingman, visitors can stay in renovated vintage Airstream trailers at the newly opened Tin Can Alley, grab a latte at Mudd on 66, and take their dogs to the brand new Route 66 Dog Park featuring a miniature 5-foot-tall dog walk-through Route 66 shield.

Williams is home to the newly opened Poozeum, a free museum dedicated to dinosaur poop (scientifically known as coprolite) and home to the world's largest coprolite. 

The town also features the new Trailborn Grand Canyon, a restored motor lodge.

In Winslow, a new custom-designed singing road plays The Eagles' "Take it Easy" under your tires as you drive — specifically the verse, "Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see."

Air access

Air access to Arizona from Canada continues to expand:

Air Canada maintains daily service from Toronto and Vancouver to Phoenix, plus four times weekly from Montreal.

Porter Airlines launched new daily service from Toronto in February and added new daily routes from both Vancouver and Ottawa to Phoenix.

WestJet operates three times daily from Calgary, with increased frequency from Edmonton (now one to two times daily) and Vancouver (four to seven times weekly).

"Arizona will always be a destination for Canadian snowbirds," Magnusson said.

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