Flights

Air France Launches First Nonstop Flight between Phoenix and Paris
Air France's first-ever nonstop flight between Phoenix and Paris commenced May 24, 2024. Offered three times per week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), the new route flies between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Charles de Gaulle International Airport. This new nonstop service will deliver an estimated $30 million in economic impact to Phoenix and make traveling to Arizona more convenient for Europeans.

Porter Airlines Announces New Nonstop Flight between Toronto and Phoenix Starting Fall 2024
For the first time, Canadian airline Porter Airlines will offer flights to Arizona with daily, nonstop service between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) starting Oct. 4, 2024. This new route is ideal for Canadian travelers seeking to explore Arizona's outdoor adventures or escape the snow.

Fly Condor's Seasonal Nonstop Flight between Phoenix and Frankfurt
German airline carrier Condor Airlines seasonal nonstop flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) from Frankfurt commenced in May 2024. Offered three times a week, the flight also debuted Condor's new sustainable aircraft that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent, making it the first in the world certified for meeting required CO2 reductions.

Attractions

Kick Off Summer Paddleboarding & Jet Skiing at Lyman Lake State Park in Eastern Arizona
Watercraft rentals are now offered at Lyman Lake State Park, allowing visitors to glide across Lyman Lake on a jet ski, kayak or paddleboard. Partnering with Pleasant Watersports, visitors can rent their watercraft at the lake. Guests can spend the day on the water before embarking on the Peninsula Petroglyph Trail to spot more than 200 petroglyphs left by the Hopi, then watch the sunset from the park's cozy lakeside cabins.

Celebrate Juneteenth at George Washington Carver Museum's Inaugural Festival
Celebrate Juneteenth's legacy and Black culture at George Washington Carver Museum's Inaugural Juneteenth Festival held at the historic museum on June 15. Occupying a former segregated high school, the Carver Museum in downtown Phoenix honors the African American experience with exhibits that share its students' stories, showcases African Americans' impact in Arizona. The museum is a national historic site, “dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation, study and dissemination of the history and culture of African Americans in Arizona.”

During the Juneteenth festival, visitors can enjoy performances, support Black businesses and explore the newest exhibit, Jubilee Journey: Celebrating Freedom and Resilience in Arizona. The exhibit recounts Arizona's civil rights movement and the local heroes who fought for equality.

Arizona to Host WNBA All-Star Weekend July 2024
The best players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) will compete during the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona from July 18 -20, 2024. This year the All-Star Game on July 20 will feature teams comprising WNBA All-Star on the Olympic-bound USA Basketball Women's National Team competing against other WNBA All Stars. Leading up to the big game, fans can enjoy watching the Kia Skill Challenge and 3-Point Contest, attend the Orange Carpet Fan event and explore downtown Phoenix's nightlife. 

A New Haunted History Tour Explores Phoenix's Paranormal Activity
Embark on a Get Ghosted Phoenix tour, a new haunted history walking tour in downtown Phoenix. Visit the most haunted places in the city to discover roaming spirits. Uncover mysteries and the city's rich history during this two-hour tour where EMF detectors and spirit boxes are used to attempt to connect with those on the other side. This tour is one of the many year-round spooky activities available in Arizona. Download the Spooktacular Arizona: Haunted Attractions Passport to discover more haunted adventures. 

Multi-Level Indoor Go Kart Track & Arcade Center Now Open in Chandler
Speeding around four multilevel go-kart tracks in electric superkarts at the new Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Chandler makes for a thrilling family day that all ages can enjoy. This 95,000-square-foot entertainment center has a two-story laser tag arena, virtual reality attractions, duckpin bowling and an arcade making it the ultimate indoor playground. Compete against fellow riders and virtual foes at the 7D Xperience Motion Theater where guests can laser blast their competition while 3D graphics surround them.

Sustainability

Arizona Office of Tourism's AppreciateAZ Program Recognized in Wanderlust's Green List 2024
The Arizona Office of Tourism & Leave No Trace AppreciateAZ program, which encourages visitors and locals to adopt sustainable practices while exploring the outdoors, was recognized in Wanderlust's Green List 2024. This highly coveted list from the UK's largest travel magazine celebrates the most promising initiatives in the world of sustainability travel. AppreciateAZ was acknowledged for effectively promoting the program's 7 Leave No Trace Principles, which include sticking to trails and being careful with fire, via billboards, social media and local businesses.

Water Conservation in Scottsdale
Known for its prestigious golf courses, Scottsdale has established water conservation measures to ensure its golf courses are sustainable. The new Scottsdale Water Campus takes reclaimed water from the showers and sprinklers of Scottsdale homes, city buildings, restaurants and luxury resorts then runs it through a purification process before delivering around 20 million gallons of water each day to 20 golf courses in Northern Scottsdale. Only a few US cities' water treatment facilities can perform this purification process.

Accolades

Arizona Named the Most Adventurous State in the Southwest by Outside Magazine
Arizona's diverse landscapes and countless outdoor recreational spots earned the Grand Canyon State recognition as the Most Adventurous State in the Southwest by Outside, an all-things outdoor magazine. Emphasizing the bucket list adventures Arizona offers such as rafting down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, exploring Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and learning about American Indian culture at multiple national monuments, creates the ideal itinerary for outdoor enthusiasts seeking unforgettable experiences. With more than 4.5 million acres of wilderness, the state's numerous hiking and mountain biking trails allow visitors to explore the Sonoran Desert in the south and ponderosa pine forests in the north.

Ambiente in Sedona Named One of the Best New Hotels of 2024 by AFAR Magazine
For immersing its guests in Sedona's iconic scenery, Ambiente was named one of the Best New Hotels of 2024 by AFAR. Ambiente's cube-shaped atriums allow guests to soak in 180-degree views of Sedona's iconic red rocks and Dark Skies thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows and a private rooftop. At this adults-only hotel, guests can embark on an adventure utilizing the resort's direct access to the Adobe Jack hiking trail or spend the day relaxing in the pool before laying in their soaking tub.

Lon's Restaurant Named One of The 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America
The historic Lon's restaurant within the charming Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America by Open Table and People Magazine as part of People's 50th anniversary. At Lon's, guests can soak in breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain while dining on its romantic patio to enjoy mouthwatering cuisine surrounded by desert flora, a picturesque water fountain and an outdoor adobe fireplace. Experience globally inspired Arizona fare before sipping a craft cocktail at Lon's Last Drop Bar.

Hotel News

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa by Hilton is Now Open
Once known as the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, the resort reopened in early May as The Scottsdale Resort and Spa after undergoing multimillion-dollar enhancements. Guests will enjoy the resort's brand-new hidden speakeasy, signature restaurant, indoor golf simulator, and lounge.

Industry News

This Summer Visitors Can Request Rides to Sedona Attractions with Sedona Shuttle Connect
Coming later this summer, the City of Sedona will release its new Sedona Shuttle Connect, a share-ride public transit that will pick up visitors from their hotels to transport them to the city's attractions. Travelers will be able to order a Sedona Shuttle from the Sedona Shuttle Connect smartphone app to receive a ride to their destination for only two dollars. Uptown Sedona, Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village and numerous trailhead shuttle pick-up spots are just a few of the attractions for which Sedona Shuttle Connect rideshare will offer service.