Arizona Tourism visits Toronto for 2024 Canada Sales Mission
The Arizona Office of Tourism says those who don’t care for cold temperatures will have no problem weathering Arizona winter weather.
The tourism office’s senior travel industry marketing manager, Joanna Tejeda, made it clear during a Wednesday Toronto gathering that those vacationing in her state in winter won’t encounter any bone-chilling temperatures.
“I don’t want to make anyone jealous but it’s 26 degrees back home,” she said during the wintery Toronto evening, which drew approximately 50 attendees. Tejeda and her team were in town for the 2024 Canada Sales Mission, which concludes March 21 in Vancouver.
While 2019 was a record-breaking year for Canadian visitation to the state, Tejeda is confident that Arizona is on track to match those numbers. “In 2023, we were very close to our 2019 numbers (371,097),” Tejeda said. “We are hoping to surpass our 2019 numbers in 2024.”
Arizona for all
Laura Nesteanu of GMS, which promotes Arizona in this country, in turn used to event to praise different Arizona aspects, including outdoor activities in a state in which people can view the likes of the Grand Canyon. “We have the great outdoors,” she said. “The difference is we have all-year-round warm weather.”
Arizona is home to more than 300 golf courses, and is a sports mecca, from Spring Training, to hockey, to basketball, and football. “We’re seeing more and more Canadians plan their trip around sporting activities to cheer on their teams and players,” Tejeda said.
Nesteanu also cited a flourishing arts scene, with visitors able to find many art galleries, including ones that sell Indigenous art. The state’s historical side is underscored by long-standing missions built by the Spanish. Sports and outdoor travel aside, culinary is another huge draw for Canadian visitors to the state.
Arizona is home to numerous restaurants that have been awarded the prestigious James Beard Awards (a designation used to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts). Tejeda also pointed out that Arizona is making a name for itself in wine tourism, with wine tastings and tours readily available.
Nesteanu also noted there are numerous direct air links from different parts of this country.
More information can be found at VisitArizona.com, with that site having features that travel agents will find particularly useful.
