The Grand Canyon?s new Skywalk could impact Sedona tourism.
Currently, international tourists visit Sedona on their way to the Grand Canyon, Sedona Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jennifer Wesselhoff said.
According to Wesselhoff, many visitors stop in Sedona for a night and then head to the Grand Canyon for two or three nights. Wesselhoff wants to change this.
Larson Newspapers
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The Grand Canyon?s new Skywalk could impact Sedona tourism.
Currently, international tourists visit Sedona on their way to the Grand Canyon, Sedona Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jennifer Wesselhoff said.
According to Wesselhoff, many visitors stop in Sedona for a night and then head to the Grand Canyon for two or three nights. Wesselhoff wants to change this.
?We?re developing a plan to better position the Grand Canyon as a day trip,? Wesselhoff said.
If tour companies in Sedona offer day trips to the Grand Canyon, visitors can spend more nights in Sedona, Wesselhoff said.
The Skywalk, a glass path 4,000-feet above the floor of the Grand Canyon, set to open Wednesday, March 28, now offers one more day-trip perk.
To access the Skywalk by vehicle, visitors have to drive three hours — some of which is on dirt roads — from one of the three closest cities. Las Vegas, Kingman and Peach Springs are the closest cities to the Skywalk.
From Sedona, tourists can fly to the west rim in approximately an hour.
?Being so close by air when you?re in Sedona is the ultimate way to experience the canyon,? Eric Brunner, Sky Safari Charter and Air Tours co-owner, said.
Sky Safari, a Sedona tour company, already offers a tour package to the west rim along with one to the canyon?s south rim.
Brunner said now they can offer their guests the option of walking on the Skywalk while at the west rim.
?It?s so international. It?s going to be phenomenal,? Brunner said.
Sky Safari?s trip to the west rim includes a flight directly from Sedona to the rim, a helicopter ride to the canyon floor and a pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River for $379.
Brunner said the Skywalk won?t be included as part of the package but Sky Safari will promote it as an additional benefit to flying to the west rim.
Sky Safari tour group members will have to pay the $25 Skywalk fee in addition to the tour price.
Wesselhoff said the chamber has already begun promoting the Grand Canyon as a general destination from Sedona and now the Skywalk is an added bonus.
?That?s going to be a major destination driver,? Wesselhoff said.
Association of the Skywalk with the state of Arizona also helps, according to Wesselhoff.
?Just reminding people that the Grand Canyon is in Arizona is good publicity,? Wesselhoff said.
The Grand Canyon is already a national symbol, Brunner said, and now that visitors can step out across it, it is going to be a major attraction.
Wesselhoff hopes the Skywalk?s allure trickles down to Sedona.