What's New in Sedona, Arizona

Spring 2011

Let us inspire you...

Dear Industry Friends,

Imagine floating through the air in a hot air balloon, drifting at the whim of the early-morning breezes. There's not a sound to be heard, only the vast expanse of the desert beneath. At four to five miles per hour, it's slow enough to get a good look at the landscape with its javelina, jackrabbits, bobcats, antelope, mule deer and other wildlife.

Then there's hitting the rubber on single-track trails, mountain biking at brake-neck speed through rolling terrain, arroyos, winding creeks and massive rock formations. Or coasting along in a jeep, a Hummer or an ATV-or perhaps on horseback or foot, taking a deep breath of pleasure.

Whatever the speed or sport, Sedona is an outdoor paradise for nature lovers. With its mild, four-season climate, bright clear skies (and starlit nights), hundreds of trails for hiking and biking, world-class golf, tennis, and aerial adventures in planes, helicopters and balloons, it's easy to see why nature enthusiasts return to Sedona again and again.

Please let the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau assist you with information, itinerary ideas, and in obtaining rates and information from Sedona businesses.

We look forward to welcoming you and your clients to Sedona, Arizona. Let us inspire you...

Sedona News

2011 Experience Sedona

Our newest Experience Sedona Guide, the official visitor guide of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau, is now available.

Our 57-page guide is full of editorial information on the history of Sedona, outdoor recreation, sightseeing, tours, arts and culture, shopping, dining, and lodging; as well as sections on the spa experience, weddings, and spiritual and personal enrichment. You will also find information about living and relocating to Sedona, a look at our community, updated photos and graphics, the 2011 Calendar of Events, the Tourism Bureau Business Directory, all followed by the Sedona map.

Please contact us for the 2011 Experience Sedona Guide and other Sedona promotional materials at sado@sedonachamber.com.

US Forest Service Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District Regulations

In order to ensure quality recreation experiences for the guided public, the US Forest Service Coconino NF Red Rock Ranger district requires that any commercial outfitter/guides operating on the National Forest have a permit.

Currently, commercial buses and tours may make incidental stops on the forest if:

stops are short in nature (approximately 15 minutes)
are not scheduled specifically on the tour
are at the request or need of the tour participants (i.e. rest room break, "to stretch my legs")
no guiding services are provided

Incidental stops are allowed at:

US Forest Service Red Rock Ranger Station (8375 SR179, Sedona, AZ 86351, 928-282-4119)
Bell Rock Vista & Pathway (Mile post 307.5 on SR 179)
Oak Creek Vista (on top of Oak Creek Canyon, 13 miles north from Sedona).

For details, please contact:

Julie Rowe, Natural Resource Planner, Outfitter/Guide Program

Red Rock Ranger District
P.O. Box 20429, Sedona, AZ 86341-0429
928-203-2915 / 928-266-5965 (cell)
jrowe@fs.fed.us

The Forest Service is also developing a new permit system for the following:

Tour Buses/Short stops: The District is developing a program for short stops at Bell Rock, Oak Creek Vista, and the Red Rock Visitor Center in the Village of Oak Creek. We hope to have this program up and running by 2012.

Rock climbing/canyoneering: Anticipated for 2013

Transit/transportation: The District is currently looking into a national program that can provide funding to develop partnerships for transit systems that access the national forest. This program would allow us to develop something outside the outfitter/guide program and policies, which would not require a prospectus.

Please check out the following website for details & updates: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/projects/outfitter/index.shtml

2011 International Pow Wow

Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau will be attending the International Pow Wow in San Francisco in May.

If you are participating in Pow Wow and looking for life-long memorable travel experiences for your clients, please let us share with you what Sedona has to offer!

Often called "Red Rock Country" Sedona is a four seasons playground for everyone - whether you're into outdoor recreation; history and archaeology; arts and culture; power shopping; or the spiritual and metaphysical - Imagine doing all this in a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Natural endowments aside, you'll also find world-class accommodations and a very good variety of dining to keep you and your clients satisfied. Escape the chaos of life, kick back, relax......and just be....in Sedona. Let us inspire you and your clients in Sedona.

You can pre-schedule your appointments through the computerized appointment scheduling on http://PowWowOnline.com. Those appointments that are requested by both the buyer/you AND seller/us are scheduled first, so please request an appointment with Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau. The deadline is April 12.

We are looking forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

Sedona just made the list for Shermans Travel 10 Sacred Places!

Sedona was selected as one of Shermans Travel's list of sacred places highlights renowned points of pilgrimage for the modern traveler. Sedona's world-wide reputation as a spiritual mecca and global power spot has drawn some of our planet's most amazing healers, intuitives, artists and spiritual guides. Come to Mother Nature's red-rock temples to experience their life-transforming, soul-nourishing work in person.

Japanese, French, and German Brochures

In an effort to promote Sedona to our key international markets, we have created 8-panel Sedona-brand brochures for international clients to introduce our beautiful destination. Those tour operators who have Sedona product can request these brochures for your marketing needs. Please contact Sachiko Sado for more information: sado@sedonachamber.com.

Technicolor Photography by Ian Whitehead ian-whitehead.com

Sedona Accommodations

New Sales Manager at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa

The Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa is Sedona's only golf and spa resort. Their full service resort boasts luxurious accommodations, full service restaurant, and full service spa with hair and nail salon, 25,000 sq ft fitness club including tennis, 18-hole championship golf course, and over 14,000 sq ft of banquet facilities. The resort sales department is happy to offer wholesale rates, group rates, food and beverage discounts and special menus. Their Events team has the knowledge and resources to develop programs and outings that will accommodate your customer's special interests. Please visit their website at www.hiltonsedonaresort.com to view their resort accommodations and amenities. Their leisure sales manager Amy Johnson would be happy to discuss rates and availability with you. Amy's direct phone number is 928-284-6925.

Sedona Activities & Services

Golden Goose Cafe & Bistro - New Group Friendly Restaurant in West Sedona

Conveniently located on Sedona's main highway SR89A in West Sedona, Golden Goose Café & Bistro is a restaurant with adequate parking for tour buses. Group-friendly with room to accommodate parties as small as 10 or as large as 125. All inclusive pricing available for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Group menus available with the likes and desires of the group in mind.

For details, please contact Debbie Santa Cruz, Owner, at 623-680-5440 or dsantacruz@yahoo.com

Pete Sanders - Scientific Vortex Information (3 Options)

Get Accurate Scientific and Spiritual Information about Sedona's Vortexes from M.I.T. Honors Graduate, Pete A. Sanders Jr., and learn:
What is a Vortex? How to best tap their benefits. Sedona's strongest and easiest to access Vortex sites. And how to find Vortexes where ever you travel and in your home area.

#1 Hear Mr. Sanders Every Monday 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. at the Los Abrigados Resort and Spa (160 Portal Lane) - $15.00 per person

#2 Have Mr. Sanders present directly to your group (for 10 or more people) - $15/person - discounts for groups of 25 or more

#3 Purchase Mr. Sanders' Scientific Vortex Information book ($12.95) - available at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center and at all Sedona bookstores or signed copies thru http://freesoul.net

For more information contact Mr. Sanders' NonProfit Foundation, Free Soul, at sanders@sedona.net or (928) 282-9425 or thru web site http://freesoul.net.

Red Rock State Park Center for Environmental Education Welcomes Groups!

The Red Rock State Park has daily bird walks as well as scheduled moonlight hikes, geology hikes and many types of outdoor programs that group tour operators could schedule in advance. There is good bus parking and the Miller Visitor Center (open daily 9 am - 5 pm) includes an interpretive area, a gift shop and restrooms. This park has modern, handicap accessible restrooms located at the Visitor Center and the Twin Cypress Group Use area which can be rented for large groups and outdoor picnics.

The park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Entrance Fee is $156 for a bus of 44 people or $25 marketing fee, $10 for first 4 people and $3 each person after that. Please call the park for availability of facilities in advance and for information about guiding guests.

Red Rock State Park Center for Environmental Education

4050 Red Rock Loop Rd., Sedona, AZ 86336

928-282-6907

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/RERO/index.html

Dahling It's You Boutique - Unique Sedona Shopping Experience

Dahling It's You Boutique is known for its unique clothing with the highest quality and lowest possible prices; suitable for all ages, body types, styles, and sizes; ranging from XS to 3X!

Their fashion experts are always up to date on the latest looks, ready to assist in any way possible, and make the difference between your normal shopping experience and the Dahling experience! They also offer a beautiful selection of jewelry and accessories, including hats, scarves, purses, and shoes.

With their Girls' Night Out event, Dahling It's You Boutique is proud to present an exclusive Dahling experience. Contact them to schedule a special event for your guests.

Visit both locations, each with its own individual pieces, to see for yourself why Dahling It's You Boutique, since 2007, is annually voted Sedona's #1 Women's Boutique!

Uptown Sedona / 250B N. State Route 89A / 928.282.5840

West Sedona / 3004 W. State Route 89A / 928.282.1003

www.dahlingitsyou.com

Sedona Segway Tours now offers a tour to the Chapel of Holy Cross

Sedona Segway Tours now offers an 1-hour Uptown Adventure Tour and a new 2-hour Chapel of the Holy Cross Adventure Tour that visits one of Sedona's amazing chapel that was built directly in and on the Red Rock of Sedona.

Rack rates for the 1-hour tour with training is $85 and the 2-hour tour with training is $105. FIT rates and groups rates (6 or more) are available.

The Segway is not for all guests, no children under 10 years old.

441 Forrest Rd. Sedona, AZ

928-282-4611

www.AZSEGWAY.com

Sedona Events & Festivals

View All Sedona Events

Annual Events in Sedona
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival: April 28 - May 1, 2011

Dine in Sedona Restaurant Week: June

Sedona Taste: June

Red Rocks Music Festival: August - September

Fiesta Del Tlaquepaque: September