NEW flydrive opportunities in Arizona are playing a leading part in the state tourism office’s product development promotions in the UK this year.
UK director of tourism Michael Squire said: “Our approach to co-operative advertising is tied to new product offered by operators. As well as working with small specialist operators who have expanded into Arizona, we have joined with Travel 4 in producing window displays for 2,500 agencies, and with British Airways Holidays on a consumer incentive programme through BA’s 23 Travel Shops.”
In support of the flydrive market, the Arizona Office of Tourism has also produced a video for the trade featuring a 22min presentation of the state followed by a reference guide to cities, resorts, hotels, products, services and main attractions. A 144-page travel planner is due out in June.
Squire said he would also be targeting niche markets during the next 12 months, focusing on sports and activities, culture, nature, adventure, shopping and spas, as well as golf.
Aside from the increasing number of flydrive options in brochures, Squire sees a need to help operators and agents with itineraries specified to a particular client’s requirement.
In view of this, he has introduced a computerised programme based on the Rand McNally Trip Maker that can design a detailed route.
The trade can fax their itinerary requests on 0181-546 5526 and the tourism office will come up with the most appropriate option, including distances between destinations, journey time for each sector, attractions en route and suggestions for accommodation.
Squire said the Trip Maker can also determine the shortest or most scenic route, and others tailored to specific needs, such as facilities ideal for families, golf courses, tennis, spas or camp-sites.
He added: “Self-drive is one of the most popular forms of travel around Arizona but itineraries can be difficult to plan without direct knowledge of the state due to the extraordinarily diverse landscape.
“There is also far more to see in Arizona than is commonly thought, so this can be used to help visitors get the best out of their trip.”
Most flydrive itineraries are structured so that travellers don’t have to drive more than 150 miles in a day.
To help identify the state more easily, Arizona is divided into seven areas, including Canyon Country, Indian Country, Central Territory, Arizona’s West Coast, Old West Country, High Country and the Valley of the Sun area which takes in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
The Canyon region to the north includes the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon as well as the mountain community of Flagstaff. Old West Country is a favourite, featuring Tucson and its guest ranches, Tombstone, 19th century missions and vineyards.
Arizona’s so-called West Coast region runs from the western edge of the Grand Canyon to Yuma, Lake Havasu City and lakes Mead and Mohave on the Colorado River. Indian Country takes in the Navajo and Hopi reservations and gives a glimpse into the lifestyle of the native Americans. It also includes Lake Powell, the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Monument Valley.
The western ghost towns of Jerome and ancient Indian sites in the Verde Valley in the Central Territory are worth adding to the itinerary.