Attractions

'Off the Beaten Path' Hiking Excursions at Petrified Forest National Park
Discover secluded areas within Petrified Forest National Park with eight new Off the Beaten Path guides that direct hikers away from busier areas to explore the park's hidden gem trails. Adventures include following old roadbeds, trekking into the wild badlands of the Painted Desert and hiking a path made by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trails are open all year round and range from four to eight miles. The new guides are available at the park's visitor center.

New Rockin' River Ranch State Park to Open in Camp Verde 
On February 9, be one of the first to visit and explore Rockin' River Ranch State Park in Camp Verde. Spend the day at Arizona's newest state park and enjoy hiking trails, kayaking or fishing while you take in remarkable views of the cottonwood tree-lined Verde River. Then, have a picnic at this day-use-only park. After visiting, take the opportunity to explore the surrounding Verde Valley for even more outdoor adventures such as visiting Montezuma Castle National Monument and touring the area wineries. 

The Waste Management Phoenix Open: The Largest Zero-Waste Sporting Event in The World
The WM Phoenix Open held in Scottsdale on Feb 5-11, 2024, is not only the best-attended golf tournament in the world but for 11 consecutive years, has been recognized as the largest zero-waste sporting event in the world. The WM diverts 100% of the tournament's waste from landfills through recycling, composting, donating and energy conservation. All money raised for the tournament's new WM Phoenix Open Working For Tomorrow Fund will benefit local sustainability charities and a dollar will be donated for every fan who wears green on Saturday's Green Out Day. 

Celebrate Black History Month at 'A Taste of Melanin' Event 
Held throughout February, the Taste of Melanin event in Tempe immerses attendees in Black culture through performances, exhibits and educational workshops. Support Black-owned businesses at the event's market and when dining at Black-owned restaurants during the Taste of Melanin Restaurant Week. The overall event highlights the influence African Americans have on culture and is designed to empower the Black community.

2024 Cactus League Spring Training Begins in February
The 2024 Cactus League Spring Training season starts in late February 2024 with baseball games occurring daily across central Arizona through late March. Watch 15 Major League teams compete while enjoying Arizona's sunny spring weather and affordable ticket prices. After a thrilling day at the ballpark, explore the endless adventures across the state's diverse landscapes including the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Chiricahua National Monument. Here are a few trip ideas to create the ultimate vacation for any fan. 

Arizona's First Lighted Golf Course 
Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe is offering golfers an exciting nightime golf experience. As one of only 20 lighted courses in the country, golfers can enjoy playing 18 holes on the executive golf course late into the night with the course open until midnight on the weekends. Whether playing during the day or at night, enjoy this pristine golf course with remarkable views of the Papago Buttes.

Accolades

Phoenix Recognized in Forbes Travel Guide's 24 Top Destinations for 2024
Hosting the NCAA Men's Final Four festivities and events celebrating milestones and anniversaries earned Phoenix a spot on Forbes Travel Guide's 24 Top Destinations for 2024. Visit in April to witness the culmination of the legendary basketball tournament or just to attend great NCAA Final Four fan events, several of which are free! While here, catch a performance at the Orpheum Theatre and stay at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, both of which celebrating their 95th anniversaries this year.

The New York Times Names Arizona's Newest National Monument A Top Travel Destination for 2024
Arizona's newest monument, Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, was recognized as a top travel destination in The New York Times 52 Places to Go This Year for its conservation of 900,000 acres surrounding the Grand Canyon including sites sacred to several American Indian tribes in Arizona. 

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Once Again Claims Top Airport in the US Honors 
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was named the Top Large Airport in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal's annual Airports Ranking study for its reliable flights and reasonable rideshare fees. The study examines airports based on their reliability and customer satisfaction, areas in which Sky Harbor excels thanks to very few flight cancellations and the lowest Uber X costs amongst most major airports. The innovative airport is the first in the U.S. to allow travelers to use digital mobile IDs and offer Waymo autonomous vehicle rides to and from the airport.  

Multiple Arizona Chefs and Restaurants Named James Beard Award Semifinalists  
Several of Arizona's innovative chefs and restaurants have been named James Beard Awards Semifinalists this year. The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the individuals transforming America's food culture by awarding chefs and restaurants who uphold a standard of quality food and practice sustainability. Arizona has chefs and restaurants are nominated in the Best New Restaurant, Emerging Chef, Outstanding Bar, Outstanding Bakery and Best Chef in the Southwest categories. 

Visit Yuma Earns Platinum Viddy Award for Destination Marketing Videos 
Visit Yuma's Hello, I'm Yuma video series earned Platinum recognition in the Viddy Awards, the highest award in the international competition that is judged by an association of communication professionals. The Hello, I'm Yuma video series inspires travelers to explore Yuma by using first-person narration and showcasing the one-of-a-kind experiences Yuma offers including the Imperial Sand Dunes, Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, Castle Dome Mine Museum and Hull Mine.

Industry News 

Kingman and Superior Launch AI Audio Tour 
The city of Kingman and the town of Superior have both partnered with Arizona-based AI  company ListenUp to create a free geospatial audio tour app that shares each city's history, folklore and diversity. Available in 22 languages, the app shares locals' stories for visitors who are exploring the cities and their popular attractions including Route 66 in Kingman and Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior. Download ListenUp for free on the Apple App Store. 

Hotel News

Newly Renovated Sky Rock Sedona is Now Open 
Experience 360-degree views of Sedona's red rocks and days packed with wellness activities at Sky Rock Sedona, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott in Sedona. This newly renovated boutique hotel celebrates the spirit of Sedona with a dazzling amethyst-filled wall welcoming guests to the vibrant lobby. Here guests can meet with the hotel's “Vortex Hunters” to curate an adventurous and transformative stay embarking on hikes, moonrise ceremonies, scientific vortex talks, sound baths, yoga and stargazing before returning to their serene rooms. The hotel is dog-friendly, with an on-call pet psychic for furry guests to enjoy. 

Caesars Republic Scottsdale Set to Open in Early March 
Starting March 6, 2024, visitors seeking fine dining and a convenient luxury shopping experience can book their next vacation at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, the first non-gaming hotel from Caesars Entertainment in the U.S. Located near Scottsdale Fashion Square, the 11-story lifestyle hotel offers two new dining concepts created by famous television chef, Giada De Laurentiis, that will serve American and Italian-inspired cuisine. 

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Partners with REI CO-OP for Exclusive Arizona Adventures 
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown is offering new and exclusive guided outdoor activities with REI Co-op Adventures. With a wide variety of adventures to choose from, guests can enjoy biking around Tempe Town Lake, hiking South Mountain, rafting down the Salt River, visiting S'edav Va'aki Museum and going on a bike tour around Downtown Phoenix. Visitors who book the Arizona Exploration Package receive a $50 gift card to REI Co-op towards outdoor gear or attire that will help guests explore Arizona's diverse landscapes. 

Flights

First-Ever Nonstop Flight between Phoenix and Paris to Start in May 
Air France announced that the first-ever nonstop flights between Phoenix and Paris will start May 24, 2024. Offered three times per week, the new route will go between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Charles de Gaulle International Airport. This new non-stop service will deliver an estimated $30 million in economic impact to Phoenix and make traveling to Arizona more convenient for French travelers. The new flight will commence operations just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

American Airlines Adds New Routes at Sky Harbor
Starting February 2024, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport will become the only U.S. international airport to offer service between Mexico's Tijuana International Airport and the U.S.