ARIZONA NEWS

Tourism official expects 2016 Cactus League will set revenue record

Mar 9, 2016, 5:15 AM

(Facebook Photo)...

(Facebook Photo)

(Facebook Photo)

PHOENIX — When it comes to Cactus League tourism revenue, 2016 is on track to be a record-breaking year.

“March is our busiest month in terms of lodging and tourism in Maricopa County,” Debbie Johnson, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, said.

In 2015, nearly two million fans attended at least one spring training game.

“Every one of our ballparks reported more business,” Cactus League Baseball Association President Mark Coronado said at the time. “We expect some of our teams to draw well every year, but this season every community experienced the positive growth in our industry.”

Many of those fans stayed in hotels, dined out at various restaurants and explored other activities in the greater Phoenix area.

Every time a tourist visits a local hotel, eatery or other business, it means dollar signs for the state.

“When you think about that number, it is just amazing,” Johnson said. “We have 15 teams, 10 stadiums and I think the economic impact number was almost $550 million.”

Johnson said the Cactus League continues to grow year-over-year as a crucial revenue generator for Valley businesses. It also puts our state on the map as a premiere tourism destination.

“It is just such a great thing for all of us, not just for visitors but for those of us who live here,” she said. “It is another quality of life benefit that we get.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a campaign rally at Tuc...

David Veenstra

Tim Walz keeps focus on economy, women’s rights at rallies in Flagstaff, Tucson

Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, appeared at two rallies in Arizona on Saturday, three days before Election Day on Nov. 5.

49 minutes ago

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during a vice presidential debat...

David Veenstra

JD Vance attacks Kamala Harris for border, economic inaction at rally in Scottsdale

JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president, appeared at a rally in Arizona on Saturday afternoon, three days before Election Day.

4 hours ago

Town of Gilbert water tower lit up at night...

Payne Moses

Study found no Arizona cities ranked among top 25 safest in America

No major Arizona city cracked the top 25 in a recent study on the safest places to live in the United States.

7 hours ago

A rendering of the future Sky Harbor Logistics building....

Roxanne De La Rosa

Real estate giant to demolish Tempe office, double land use with industrial campus

Private real estate developer Lincoln Property Co. acquired a more than 16-acre Tempe industrial property that sits minutes away from the Sky Harbor International Airport, according to a press release.

9 hours ago

Microtransit service in Phoenix gets $12.9M grant...

Serena O'Sullivan

Phoenix gets $12.9M federal grant to launch on-demand microtransit service

A microtransit service in Phoenix designed to cut down on congestion within specific city zones is set to launch thanks to an influx of federal funds.

12 hours ago

An undated photo of the sun setting over Tempe Town Lake....

Roxanne De La Rosa

Tempe Town Lake to mark 25 years of history on Sunday

This weekend Tempe Town Lake celebrates 25 years of history with a free family-friendly festival that includes music and activities for everyone.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Bright Wealth Management

Here’s how to save money on retirement planning

PHOENIX -- With inflation still going on, people planning on retiring still face many issues on when they can retire and how much money they need to achieve it.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

Tourism official expects 2016 Cactus League will set revenue record