Visit Phoenix remains upbeat on Canadian market

Visit Phoenix says it remains upbeat about its prospects in the Canadian market, with the Arizona city it represents citing improved air access to a destination that is on the verge of seeing added accommodation options for visitors.

Sarah Doyle, director of communications at Visit Phoenix, says her destination remains perennially popular with tourists and has built a clear following in this country, attracting many long-stay visitors.

“Last year Greater Phoenix welcomed 47.7 million visitors total to the destination- this figure includes the Canadian market,” she says. “As one of our strongest international travel markets, we are always welcoming Canadian visitors to our destination, as we have several features that appeal to the market. Phoenix offers a thriving culinary and outdoor scene, a safe and exciting downtown area, and ease of access through many direct flights through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. These destination strengths are not changing soon, and we will continue to market Greater Phoenix to Canadian travellers. We are very happy to see that Canadian travellers are still choosing Phoenix when they travel internationally but we are prepared and looking forward for full visitation to return.”

She continued: “We are always looking to grow our visitation numbers, especially within the Canadian market. Canadian travellers are familiar with the destination and feel safe traveling here, whilst also being able to discover something new and unexpected. Porter Airlines has increased their flight portfolio into Greater Phoenix, expanding its winter Phoenix service with new daily nonstop flights from Edmonton and Calgary, the return of Vancouver service and a second daily flight from Toronto. We’ll continue to promote these added flights along with the many new exciting destination developments across our resorts, restaurants, and attractions that give Canadian travellers more to explore.”

Doyle says Canadians are familiar with her destination, with some having second homes in the area for the winter months.

“They also have a deep appreciation of the Sonoran Desert, our outdoor adventure scene, and the Southwestern culture that blends into our vibrant culinary scene,” she continues. “Phoenix is also ideal for Canadian travellers looking to escape the cold seasonal weather, making it possible for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities and adventure even throughout the winter months.”

Doyle says her landlocked destination isn’t at a disadvantage by not being on ocean, citing its Sonoran Desert location, which provides biodiversity and desert experiences for guests.

“The Sonoran Desert is the wettest (desert) in the world, and one of the most bountiful,” she continues. “This gives the destination an extremely diverse landscape and agricultural portfolio, allowing many of our local chefs and restauranteurs to create farm-to-table cuisine directly sourced from the Sonoran Desert. This also provides Greater Phoenix with an intriguingly unique wellness scene, as many of our spa treatments and programs are based off the local ingredients from the desert and Southwestern Indigenous techniques. When conditions align just right, the landscape can reveal an even more extraordinary sight called a super bloom. Seasonal rains awaken wildflowers across the valley, from poppies and lupine to brittlebush and owl clover, transforming the terrain around Phoenix into a living canvas of colour.”

Doyle praises Greater Phoenix as a destination that is “evolving, rising, and creating deeper, richer travel experiences,” noting Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the U.S. and has the fifth largest in-construction hotel pipeline. “With several new and renovated luxury resorts already open and more to come in 2026 and beyond, travellers are coming to Phoenix in droves to experience unique accommodations. Upcoming hotel projects such as Denu Hotel & Spa, Atari Hotels and the 340-room JW Marriott downtown hotel showcase the destinations dedication to providing travellers with the newest, most exclusive travel experiences.

Also, for the first time in destination history, Greater Phoenix restaurants have earned highly coveted MICHELIN recognition. Several of our restaurants were awarded, including 13 receiving MICHELIN guide honors, seven receiving the Bib Gourmand designation, and other individual rewards.”

Meanwhile, Doyle says Greater Phoenix can provide visitors with a unique vacation.

“Greater Phoenix is a destination unlike any other, blending the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert with contemporary urban flare,” she says. “In less than 30 minutes, visitors can trade the energy of a bustling city centre for the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert. A typical day for someone in Phoenix looks like a morning hike on the iconic trails at Camelback Mountain, followed by a city excursion to renowned cultural museums and attractions, and completed by a meal prepared by a James Beard Award winning chef. Few destinations offer such seamless access to outdoor exploration and exciting city experiences, giving individuals a sense of place that feels distinctly different.”

PHOTO Credit – Skyline with Moon – Welcomia- Shutterstock