ARIZONA DMOs rules of engagement

In Arizona who manages the official Destination Tourism Policy?
How is Destination Management and Marketing handled?
Who pays for official tourism programs?

Official Arizona Destinations are a State, Municipality, and County. The State tourism policy is directed by state laws.

Arizona Revised Statutes 41, Chapter 19, Article I

Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT)

Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) sets the policy, the Offical DMO is the city or town, a Municipality. The Municipality is the DMO, Destination Marketing Organization. The City or Town is the automatic administrator as the local government

Tourism Policies are defined by the government governing board.
Tourism Tax driven
State, Municipality, or County

Tourism Policies and programs typically have a Tourism Advisory Committee, a critical element convenient role in all models.
Governments set the policy and program, control, monitor, and hire vendors when needed.

To understand more please read DEFINING DMO & DMC MEANINGS You’ll find more details on Tourism. Along with Research Trackers that hyperlink to source documents.

ARIZONA OFFICAL TOURISM POLICY & PROGRAM COMPETITIVE BENCHMARK

A detailed competitive benchmark, PowerPoint presentation, and research tracker with hyperlinks to sources can be viewed on the Arizona Governments Tourism Program Benchmark page.

• Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) – Official State Arizona Office of Tourism.
  • Official Office of Tourism for the State of Arizona
  • Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) – Tourism Advisory Council
  • AOT sets policy for Destination Marketing organizations DMO as a Municipality or County
  • Eligibility is for tourism-business promotion, tourism-related only and tourism businesses get free promotions.
• City of Scottsdale–
  • Tourism Department Tourism and Events Department
  • Commission Scottsdale’s Tourism Development Commission
  • Link to the City of Scottsdale Tourism Program
  • Along with the grants, events, and city commission activities the City of Scottsdale via the Tourism Department outsources to Scottsdale Convention & Tourism Bureau for additional marketing.
  • Scottsdale Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB ) operates as Experience Scottsdale and operates as a government model following the same rules and guidelines.
    • Scottsdale’s CVB member’s page defines Member Eligibility and a Membership Application. Member pay to play.
      • Businesses must relate to the tourism or hospitality industry and demonstrate that they provide tourism-related products or services as part of their regular offerings with the exception of businesses interested in the Allied membership category*.
      • Hotels, resorts and spas must have a Scottsdale or Paradise Valley address. However, hotels and resorts applying for the Statewide membership category may be considered upon request.
      • Golf courses throughout Maricopa County are eligible to apply for membership. However, golf courses associated with ineligible hotels and resorts cannot apply.
      • Maricopa County businesses in the following categories are eligible to apply: Allied*; Activities; Art + Culture; Dining; Golf; Meeting Services; Moving to Scottsdale; Nightlife; Outdoor Adventure; Shopping; Spa + Wellness; Transportation; Visitor Services.
      • Statewide businesses in the following subcategories are eligible to apply: Air Tours; Attractions, Group + Spouse Activities; Statewide Accommodations; Off-Roading; Ground Tours.
    • With the scope of service and performance metrics being controlled by the City of Scottsdale. The City of Scottsdale is in the first position with other governments coming into place thereafter. Scottsdale refers to Experience Scottsdale as Partner but clearly defines the scope of work for this vendor.
    • Scottsdale in addition to that has a city Auditor who audits contracts, policies, and reports.
• Maricopa County has a county voter-approved Sports Tourism Authority which allows County participation in a CVB model. Proposition 302 in AZ Sports & Tourism Authority
• City of Prescott
  • Tourism Department City of Prescott Tourism Program
  • Prescott’s Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC)
  • Link to the City of Scottsdale Tourism Program
  • Along with the grants, events, and city commission activities the City of Prescott via the Tourism Department does its own marketing with AOT.
  • The City of Prescott Office of Tourism operates as a single destination government DMO
  • City Office of Tourism model with an eleven-member Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC)
  • Hires Vendors for consulting, research, and visitor services.
  • City-owned website for tourism is https://www.experienceprescott.com/
  • City of Prescott Tourism Program detail post link with research trackers and more details
• Arizona Governments Tourism Program Benchmark
  • Arizona Destination Marketing organizations are defined by the Arizona Office of Tourism, “It is the responsibility of the municipality or county to designate either themselves or another organization if they intend to participate in AOT’s programs.“

Donna Joy is an entrepreneur. With successful high-tech startups in the medical field. Implantable Devices, Biotech, and Ambulatory devices internationally and domestic companies. Venturing into food manufacturing, retail, and non-profits in rural areas. Donna Joy has studied and researched community issues like Tourism programs as confusion limits and controls communities, as a unpaid volunteer. Understanding, knowledge nurtures and seeds collaboration allowing the community to grow.