Scottsdale Invites Canadians to Warm Up in the Desert
Fresh off a re-branding, tourism officials from Experience Scottsdale – the new name for the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – dropped by Toronto yesterday (Jan. 19) to host an industry lunch and update the trade on all things new in and around Scottsdale.
Nicole Krekeler, tourism sales manager for Experience Scottsdale, said there’s been a lot of changes in the area, which is growing fast and offers “a lot more than just golf [there are almost 200 courses] and spa.”
Drawing visitors to the Scottsdale region of Arizona are such things as the Sonoran Desert (full of hiking and biking trails), desert explorations, shopping, nightlife and dining experiences.
“Scottsdale is chef-driven. If you go to the old part of the city you won’t find a chain restaurant,” said Krekeler. “It’s all farm to table.”
New on the hotel front is a US$60 million renovation at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which added 102 rooms and a new pool, and a 62-room renovation at the Canyon Suites at the Phoenician, described as a resort within a resort. Newly opened is the Hyatt Andaz and on the horizon are the 175-room Mountain Shadows (opening this spring) and the 225-room, 94-villa Ritz Carlton (winter 2018).
Also attracting visitors is the newly opened Odysea Aquarium, at 200,000 sq. ft. the largest aquarium in the south-west US.
Pictured at the event are (l-r) Krekeler, Freda Rahnenfuehrer, Grand Canyon Squire Inn, and Sarah Kennedy, director of tourism, Experience Scottsdale.
