Dear Industry Friends,

Imagine crisp mountain air, fresh local produce, welcoming accommodations, unique shops/galleries, and events and festivals that make you feel as youthful as a child. Let your holiday fantasy come to life with a fun collaboration of local festivities and visitor celebrations. Sweet life long memories will be made on Sedona's 1.8 million acre red rock playground. Whether celebrating a special anniversary, tying the knot, treating families to remarkable vacation, or discussing ideas and strategies at an executive retreat for a successful 2013, your clients will experience their most precious memories in Sedona, Arizona. 

At this special time of the year, all of us at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau would like to thank you for all of the business you sent to our area this year and wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2013!   

Happy Holidays!

There is a Sedona is for everyone - Come find yours!

Sedona Verde Valley & Wine Trail named in Lonely Planet's TOP 10

The Verde Valley Wine Trail and the Sedona Verde Valley communities have been recognized in Lonely Planet's annual Top 10 US Travel Destinations List for 2013. Lonely Planet is the world's leading travel publisher and holds the #1 spot in guidebook sales in the world. Robert Reid, the US travel editor, announced the selection made by their editorial team saying, "The 714 acre region is beautiful, with green canyons, rimmed by red rocks, and towns like Cottonwood, Jerome, and Sedona that have long drawn visitors for good food, art and mining lore. But the Verde Valley is all about the wine." The Top 10 US Destinations are 10 places in the US that Lonely Planet thinks travelers should add to their wish lists for the coming year.

More Accolades

In addition to the above, we have received wonderful accolades in the past couple of months! 

• "Top 5 off-peak destinations for winter 2012-2013" USA Today (November 2012)
• "15 Most Beautiful Roads in the World" Carsroute (November 2012)
• "Sedona is ranked as #19 Best US Destination" TripAdvisor (November 2012)
• "3 Great Outdoor Destinations" Switch Back Travel (November 2012)
• "Best Winter Getaway" LA Times (October 2012)
• "Best Fall Getaways" The Daily Meal (October 2012)
• "Most Stunning Sanctuary" LA Times (October 2012)  

Diamond Resorts International® Relaxation... simplified.®

Diamond Resorts International® is a global hospitality and vacation holiday brand committed to providing every owner, member and guest with the simplicity, choice and comfort they deserve.

They are committed to consistently delivering service excellence and the highest standards of guest satisfaction through their branded hospitality experience. They have very unique, iconic and well situated properties in Sedona Oak Creek Canyon including:

• Los Abrigados Resort and Spa
• Sedona Summit
• Bell Rock Inn

They always offer group rates, net rates, or commissionable rates for wholesale/retail trade.  And for this last minute, they have excellent rates for January, February and March.

Please contact John Ginter-Arizona Sales Manager at 480-515-5669 or John.ginter@diamondresorts.com.

Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa

The Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa is Sedona's only golf and spa resort offering three swimming pools, 18-hole championship golf course, 25,000 sq ft spa and fitness classes.   The resort invites tour operators and travel agents to check our competitive group rates and contracted wholesale rates, with even deeper group discounts available for Sunday through Wednesday stays.  As part of our offer for 2013 the resort will extend all suite accommodations, spa, and golf  discounts to group bookings over selected dates.  View the resorts array of amenities at HiltonSedonaResort.com and call the resort sales office at 877.273.3762 for room rates.

Enchantment Resort and Mii amo Spa

Enchantment Resort is set in Boynton Canyon at the heart of Northern Arizona's Red Rock Country. To pay tribute to the area's rich heritage of Native American culture, a thoughtful and diverse program of guest experiences has been developed in concert with local communities of Native American tribes.  These guest experiences include dance and musical performances, storytelling, arts and crafts demonstrations, guided medicine walks and more. In addition, Mii amo, the award-winning destination spa, offers a selection of spa services that incorporate Native American influences and healing elements.

Enchantment Resort is proud to have completed a $25 million property wide renovation. This includes an $11 million refurbishment of all 218 guestrooms, a $4 million expansion of the resort's Meeting Village, the transformation of the Clubhouse, a larger pool area with 360-degree views, and a new retail boutique and outdoor spaces. For additional information about the property and to inquire about FIT & small group pricing, please contact Victoria Strubbe, Leisure Sales Manager at 480-264-3019 or victoria@enchantmentgroup.com.

Blazin' M Ranch

For the past 18 years, the Blazin' M Ranch has been a favorite evening stop for groups of all sizes visiting the Sedona area. Our new Holiday-themed dinner and show is now available annually, late November thru December. The halls are decked beautifully, and cowboy music with the spirit of the season from our award-winning entertainment fills the barn!  

Along with a delicious BBQ dinner and live show, guests will be immersed in the wild Southwest with a museum, saloon, shooting gallery, Old-Tyme photographer, and Western shops. If you can't visit for the holidays, the ranch is open year round (except January) the climate-controlled barn accommodates groups of all sizes up to 280 cowpokes! Group rates available for 20 or more, as well as complimentary tickets for driver & guide.

Enjoy one of the most authentic and fun-filled adventures that Arizona has to offer by making the Blazin' M Ranch a memorable stop on your group's visit to Sedona. Visit: www.blazinm.com Contact: groups@blazinm.com or 1-800-937-8643.

Sedona Wine Country Tours

For tour operators looking for something new to offer their guests, Sedona Wine Country Tours has put together a special group wine tour at one of our outstanding wineries.  This comprehensive guided tour would include the background and stories behind the winemakers, the types of varietals grown and why we can grow grapes in Northern Arizona.  Your guests will taste spectacular wines, enjoy a guided tour of a processing room by a wine professional, and have the opportunity to experience food and wine pairing with a delicious array of gourmet cheeses, crackers, nuts and olives. They can customize to your specifications and budget.  Call 928-554-4072 and check their website at www.sedona-tour-guide.com or www.sedonawinecountrytours.com. 

New at Bead Happy in Uptown Sedona:
RED ROCK VORTEX JEWELRY

The Bead and Crystal Store Bead Happy in Uptown Sedona, Sinagua Plaza, now features a new exclusive jewelry line: RED ROCK VORTEX JEWELRY made and energized in Sedona. The line includes an all-size men's or women's bracelet and a pendant with black cord that holds a clear glass vial. This vial holds Sedona Red Rock Dust which is energized and carries the high vibration of the Sedona Vortex Energies. Bracelet and pendant is made with intention to bring harmony, protection and luck. Bead Happy also carries a wide variety of other Red Rock Jewelry items - all handmade for Bead Happy and perfect gifts and souvenirs.

Tour companies/operators will receive commission based on total sales per group. Tour guides will receive a 25% discount on all store items. For more information please contact the store managers at beadhappysedona@gmail.com.

Arizona Helicopter Adventures

Arizona Helicopter Adventures (AHA) is eager to welcome your clients to one of their 6 local tours that vary in length of time and areas they cover.

Basic information:

• Company office is located at the Sedona airport
• AHA has been in business for over 27 years, since 1985 oldest on the airport
• AHA is a FAA regulated company with a perfect safety record for 27 years!
• AHA is open and fly 7 days a week, 9am to 6pm (winter hours 9-5)
• Their pilots are all very experienced with military and DPS flying backgrounds
• AHA has a 5 million dollar insurance policy. They will issue one to your company.
• AHA is Sedona's premiere air tour provider with top notch customer service
• Capacity - 4 passengers per flight (For large groups second helicopter available)
• Travel Agent, Tour Operator Commission, 15% + Bonus Plan of 5%; Group pricing available

For details, please see www.azheli.com or contact them at 800-282-5141, Local 928-282-0904, FAX 928-282-1045.