Arizona Office of Tourism, State Parks Launch Partnership to Expand Visitor Center Network
21 State Parks visitor centers increase official Arizona Visitor Information Center network to 49 locations
PHOENIX, AZ. (June 30, 2020) — The Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) is partnering with Arizona State Parks and Trails to nearly double the size of the official Arizona Visitor Information Center (AVIC) network. Effective immediately, State Parks visitor centers will become AVICs, enabling an increasingly streamlined approach to delivering statewide travel information and safety guidelines to all visitors.
The partnership enables State Parks and Trails visitor centers to expand the variety of information offered on experiences across our state, potentially inspiring visitors to add another day or another destination to their trips. Each State Parks and Trails visitor center also receives special promotion across AOT’s marketing platforms including VisitArizona.com, agency communications and on the Official State Travel Guide and Official State Map.
“Our amazing Arizona state parks and wide-open spaces attract millions of visitors each year,” said Debbie Johnson, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. “Partnering with State Parks and Trails to reach those travelers at even more destinations across our state is a great opportunity.”
Often serving as a visitor's first stop, AVICs are critical to statewide tourism promotion. In addition to providing a positive first impression of Arizona, they deliver travelers authentic Arizona experiences by connecting them with the knowledgeable and friendly local community members who staff AVICs.
"We are excited to partner with the Arizona Office of Tourism to help get information to travelers in our state," said Bob Broscheid, executive director of Arizona State Parks and Trails. "Including the state parks as official visitor information centers will raise awareness of the many amazing destinations as well as our tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities."
There’s been strong interest and growth in the AVIC program since it was revamped in March of 2019. Adding the 21 Arizona State Parks and Trails visitor centers to the current 28 official AVICs greatly expands the reach of the program, bringing the new total to 49 AVICs across Arizona.
Arizona’s tourism industry, which hosted more than 45.5 million visitors and contributed more than $24 billion in visitor spending in 2018, is a critical driver of the state’s economy.
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Media Contacts:
Josh Coddington, (480) 438-4700, [email protected]
Michelle Thompson, (480) 589-8877, [email protected]
About the Arizona Office of Tourism
The Arizona Office of Tourism works to strengthen and grow Arizona's economy through travel and tourism promotion, positioning Arizona as the leading tourism destination for domestic and international travelers. Tourism is a key industry that provides positive economic impacts to all fifteen counties across the state.