April 2008 NewsletterWelcome to TourISm Tucson (pronounced "Tourism Is Tucson"), your monthly e-newsletter from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). Each month, we invite you to use this medium to stay informed of news and other information that will help ensure your success as a partner of Tucson's tourism community. Support TIA, Your Hometown Airport
The savings and convenience Tucson's airport offers may surprise travelers who aren't in the know. It makes economic sense for travelers to use Tucson International Airport (TIA), especially those who believe time is money. It's quick and easy to get to TIA (even from northernmost Pima County), while a drive to Phoenix/Sky Harbor may add hours to travel time. Hidden costs also come into play, such as vehicle or shuttle expenses, longer waits at security checkpoints, higher parking costs, and more frequent delays.
At TIA, convenience, quality service, and good deals make all the difference. The MTCVB has received feedback from seasoned travelers, both leisure and business, who are extremely satisfied with Tucson's airport. These travelers rave about getting in and out of TIA, quickly and safely. They find flights are more likely to be on time; passengers are less likely to get lost thanks to the streamlined layout; travelers don't have to ride a shuttle to the car rental area because it's on-site, near the baggage claim; and both wireless Internet service and charging booths for personal electronics are available throughout the terminal.
Tucson's airport has seen a steady increase in service and passengers in recent years. More than a dozen nonstop flights were added in 2007 alone. Current service includes 12 different airlines with nonstop service to 28 destinations and about 88 departures daily. These numbers will continue growing if more Southern Arizonans fly out of Tucson, which will lead to more choices for destinations and lower airfares. To check flight information and airfares at TIA, click here.
Work It
"Breaking into the Mexico Tourism Industry"
Wednesday, April 30, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Arizona Inn. "Vamos a Tucson" hosts breakfast meeting featuring presentation for small-business owners by Matthew Baker, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, on marketing opportunities in the lucrative Mexico market. For details or to RSVP, click here. 2008 Spring Education Luncheon & Panel Discussion:
National Experts Share Top Trends in the Meeting Planner Industry
Wednesday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Rd, Tucson 85704. Luncheon and program featuring panel of national meeting planners. Details are under Partner Events at MTCVB Partners section at www.visitTucson.org. To RSVP, click here. First Tuesday: Tucson Ambassadors Program Update
Tuesday, May 6, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Inn. Featuring Vicki Doyle, MTCVB Vice President/Partner Development and Visitor Services. Sponsored by Encore Creative. For details or to RSVP, click here. National Tourism Week - Tucson Kick off
Monday, May 12, We are planning a luncheon celebration of the first year anniversary of the kick off of the Tucson Ambassadors Program during National Tourism Week. The luncheon will be Mon., May 12 at The Westin La Paloma. All CTAs are invited. Click here for details and to RSVP.
2008 Partner Orientation & Refresher
Wednesday, May 14, 8:30-10 a.m. Board Room, MTCVB Administrative Office, 100 S. Church Ave. Tucson 85701. Free. Opportunity to learn tips and ideas for making the most of your partnership with the MTCVB. Ideal for businesses new to the MTCVB as well as existing partners or new employees in need of a refresher. To RSVP, click here. First Tuesday: Astronomy Tourism
Tuesday, June 3, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Inn. Featuring Rich Fedele, Public Outreach Manager, Kitt Peak National Observatory. Sponsored by Madden Media. For details or to RSVP, click here. Use It
New Video Vignettes
With the MTCVB's new online video vignettes, you can see for yourself what it's like to explore Tucson and Southern Arizona. With sound and video telling the stories behind Tucson's destination drivers, website visitors can now experience what it's like to: ride a mountain bike on an outdoor adventure through Tucson Mountain Park; explore Tucson's heritage and culture on a tour of downtown landmarks; harvest cholla cactus buds during a culinary lesson with Chef Janos; swing a golf club at Ventana Canyon; and much more. These new videos are great for sharing glimpses of Tucson with customers, family, and friends. Tucson Ambassadors Program
Tucson tourism employees and volunteers working in front-line positions at hotels, attractions, restaurants, and other places frequented by visitors are invited to take part in the Tucson Ambassadors Program. Central to the program is a four-and-a-half hour class offering customized destination awareness and customer service information. Cost is $25 per person. Presented by MTCVB Partner Development and the Certified Tourism Ambassador Network. Community Events Calendar
The online MTCVB Community Events calendar at VisitTucson.org is a good place for partners to post events and activities of interest to locals and visitors alike. TucsonStyle.com powers this highly visible calendar on our website. You can post your company's public events on our Community Events calendar by following these simple steps: (1) contact Bill Zachau and tell him you were referred by the MTCVB PR department, (2) request a password, (3) using your password, log in at www.tucsonstyle.com/admin, and (4) complete and submit the online form. If you have questions, or have lost your password, contact Bill Zachau, TucsonStyle.com, by phone at (520) 991-7718 or (520) 797-4000, or by email at events@tucsonstyle.com. If you need further help, phone Debbie Melcher, MTCVB Public Relations, at 770-2164. First Tuesdays at Arizona Inn
Join us every First Tuesday for lunch and a presentation on a timely Tucson tourism topic at Arizona Inn, in midtown Tucson. See our event registration page to learn what topic we'll be discussing this month. Tucson Attractions Passport
Travelers in Tucson and Southern Arizona can purchase a Tucson Attractions Passport at any of Tucson's 18 Catalina Mart convenience stores. The 2007-08 Tucson Attractions Passport sells for $15 and contains 56 pages of deals and discounts at 47 Southern Arizona attractions, museums, parks, and shops. Included are "buy one, get one free" discounts for attractions such as Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson Museum of Art, Kartchner Caverns, Reid Park Zoo, and more. For details or to purchase a passport online, click here. Mexico Travel Requirements
Citizens of both the United States and Canada must present either a compliant document such as a government-issued photo ID or a driver's license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, when traveling by land or sea. To find out more, click here. I-10 Widening Alert
Work is currently in progress on widening I-10 from Prince Road to 29th Street. The three-year project is scheduled for summer 2007 through spring 2010. For details and updates call the information hotline at 520-327-6444, 1-877-961-1010, or click here. 4th Avenue Underpass
Traffic alerts related to construction, detours, and closures during the 4th Avenue Underpass construction project in downtown Tucson are issued periodically and are available online. To find out more, click the link above. MTCVB Visitor Inquiries
February 2008
Information requests: 23,235
Walk-in visitors: 7,749
Website unique visitors: 315,482
Year-to-Date (July 2007-February 2008)
Information requests: 105,771
Walk-in visitors: 36,560
Website unique visitors: 1,992,722 Know It
Follow the links below to read about significant MTCVB programs and opportunities. Annual Report/Marketing Plan New Partners Partner Anniversaries Tourism Research and Facts
Free Visitor Information |
