Learn more about Arizona’s Tourism Policy Benchmark

Learn more about Arizona’s Tourism policy benchmark and how it took Sedona over 20 years to get a fair and balanced policy. Think about the unintended consequences and the damage it has caused Sedonans.
For over two decades, I studied Arizona’s Tourism Policy, additionally spoke to the Sedona City Council and city management about the City’s Tourism program. The city policy had a conflict of interest as the city-taxes was funded a regional membership group, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

Having a business and seeing city-imposed tax dollars be given to a private special interest group that competed with the businesses inside the city changed the landscape of Sedona, it caused so much harm, hinder, hurt the Sedona citizens and stakeholders. These actions over marketed Sedona causing the housing issues while promoting short-term rentals. It increased traffic, day trippers and created grid lock.

In 2012, I started doing research on destination marketing and tourism programs as I couldn’t comprehend, and I didn’t agree with the ridiculousness policy the city was implementing. It was unlike any other city in the world. It discriminated against the city businesses, residents and empowered a special interest group with millions of taxpayer’s monies without any contract that protected the people’s assets. It was a no bid contract! City Council was given by me benchmark comparisons on tourism programs in Arizona along with the Sedona Chamber’s Membership distribution and chamber members disqualifications. The City were fools and approved this horrific policy and I was ridiculed for the next twenty years, even sued to shut me up. I continued to speak up on the issue.

In 2022, I really tried to make change. I did more research infographics and fine-tuned the correct way that Arizona governments run their tourism programs. I shared it with city council. The new city tourism policy mirrors my recommendations that I have shared with them since 2012.

Arizona’s Tourism policy Benchmark is understanding Arizona’s Policy Tourism Taxes & Designation Marketing Organizations, how they are structured with checks and balances a tool moving forward creating solid public policy and relations.

Understanding a regulated complex system from the State, County and Municipality levels can be a challenge, and takes some time to do so. I’ve connected the dots with the variable elements of Regulations State Policy, Requirements, Arizona Revised Statutes and removed opinions or misinterpretations.

Starting at the state level begins the path of understanding the policy of the state. Furthermore, creates a roadmap of understanding. The Arizona Office of Tourism sets the policy for the state. As the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the state, the Arizona Office of Tourism partners with local DMOs for the purpose of coordinating tourism promotion with the state. Destination Marketing Organizations – Tourism AZ AOT provides the DMO’s with incredible resources and assistance.

While most may miss the details in this level of lengthy research provided by Donna Joy are the reports, sources, along the analysis needed including Competitive Peer City Benchmarks, complex Data Driven Analysis, Comprehensive & Verified source-based reporting which is grueling or boring for most.

How does Sedona Tourism Taxes operate? Who, when and where are Sedona Tourism Taxes.

• The incorporated City of Sedona imposes sales and bed taxes on those businesses inside the city limits. Those businesses outside the city limits don’t have city-imposed sales and bed taxes. Please not that this is a city tax, and not all businesses pay city-imposed taxes. Furthermore, the unincorporated Sedona and surrounding area have no tourism-related-district and there is no county DMO.

Learn more about the DMO’s & Tourism

Peer City Tourism Benchmark Report compares State, County, Cities & Towns DMO polices and eligibility requirements and guide us to proper policy. Links to sources, info trackers are provided. Tourism Government Models DMO Benchmark – Donna Joy These projects are successful. Furthermore, it opens doors for future public policy for other cities and towns.

Arizona Governments Tourism Benchmark report compares 4 Arizona government models provide positive logical analysis. “Government Tourism Destination Marketing” in Arizona follows the regulations. Transparency with each unique city or town.