FLAGSTAFF LEADS THE STATE, THE REGION, MAYBE THE NATION

posted by Michael Chihak

Flagstaff and the surrounding Coconino County are tops in Arizona for tourism.

That's not to say they bring in more money or provide more jobs than other parts of the state; Phoenix is the big dog there. But northern Arizona business and political leaders leverage their natural advantages to get the most out of it.

An Arizona Office of Tourism report shows that while most of the rest of the state lagged in tourism revenue growth last year, Coconino County set a record, topping even the total it reached in 2007 before the recession took hold.

Total travel spending in Coconino County in 2010 was $948 million, 6.2 percent higher than in 2009 and 3 percent better than the previous record year of 2007.

Meantime, statewide travel spending in 2010 was $17.7 billion, which was 7.3 percent lower than the 2007 record total.

Flagstaff takes its tourism strategy seriously, and it should. Half of the city's sales tax revenues come from tourism spending, Mayor Sara Presler said.

We'll take an in-depth look at northern Arizona's tourism business success on Friday's Arizona Week.