Arizona Industry News

The states of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico have come together to sign a National Geographic Geotourism Charter, marking the first bi-national effort that National Geographic has undertaken.
As part of National Geographic’s program to increase knowledge about sustainable tourism and destination stewardship, the Southern Arizona and Sonora region was selected as the subject of this latest venture.

Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. The project, part of a collaboration with the Sonora and Arizona Offices of Tourism, the Bureau of Land Management and the Sonoran Institute, will include the creation of a Geotourism map, associated Web site and interactive Web maps that encompass both cultural and environmental concerns regarding travel as well as the impact tourism has on local communities and their individual economies and lifestyles.

To download a free copy of the map, visit the Arizona Origins section of www.ArizonaGuide.com. For media information only, contact Jacki Mieler at jmieler@azot.gov.

Arizona’s diverse State Trails System

The Arizona State Trails System offers 550 diverse trails that inspire people to experience the State's magnificent outdoor environment and cultural history. To help the public find the perfect trails for their skill level and geographic destination, the Arizona State Parks department, with the help of volunteers, has published four books of map guides.

The geographically comprehensive set of four books for the 550 trails in Arizona are only $10 each. The books provide trail descriptions and locations and access to many different public lands. The trails in the system range in length, elevation, user characteristics and location offering many different types of hiking opportunities. Each trail in the book is a pullout page that can be copied and used for that day's excursion.

For more information visit www.azstateparks.com. For media information only, contact Ellen Bilbrey at ebilbrey@azstateparks.gov.

Scottsdale Boasts Another James Beard Winner

Co-owner and Chef Nobuo Fukuda of Sea Saw was honored as “Best Chef in the Southwest” by the James Beard Foundation at a ceremony in New York City on May 7, 2007. The James Beard Foundation selects nominees and winners by enlisting the votes of more than 600 food and beverage professionals around the country.

More than 60 awards honored chefs, restaurants, wine programs, cookbooks, broadcasting, print journalism and restaurant design. Fukuda was stunned when Bobby Flay announced his name as “Best Chef in the Southwest” as this was his third consecutive nomination. The award recognizes Fukuda for setting consistent standards of excellence in his region. The criterion is that award winners must be a working chef for the past five years, with the three most recent years spent in the region for which they won.

For more information, visit www.seasaw.net or call (480) 481-WINE. For media information only, contact Mari Markogianis at ciaomari1@hotmail.com or (602) 790-5998.

Arizona Scores as host of Super Bowl Game in 2008

Arizona will be at the center of worldwide attention as it was selected by the National Football League to host the 2008 Super Bowl at the new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, just west of Phoenix.

The Super Bowl and related events are estimated to generate $400 million in economic benefits for the state. In addition, more than 800 million people worldwide are expected to watch the 2008 game. Glendale’s stadium opened in 2006 and is the most modern facility in North America. It is home to the Arizona Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl and features a retractable roof and a rollout grass field.

For media information only, contact Jennifer Liewer at 623-930-2965or jliewer@glendaleaz.com.