Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT)

Revision Date: 
Friday, September 2, 2016

Authority

The Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) was established by Laws 1978, Chapter 180. Statutory authority can be found at A.R.S. §§41-2301 et seq.

Function

The AOT is responsible for promoting and developing tourism in Arizona.  The AOT is led by a director, appointed by the governor, along with an assistant director chosen by the director with the governor’s approval. The director must have at least five years of management experience in the tourism and travel industry, understanding of the technical elements of the tourism industry, and experience in marketing or public relations. The director is responsible for promoting and developing tourism business, conducting a marketing campaign on the attractions of the state, and promoting this information through state, national, and international media.

The director is assisted and advised by the Tourism Advisory Council. The Council consists of fifteen members, appointed by the governor. The members must be from recreational and tourist attractions, transportation and hospitality, other tourism-related businesses, and the general public. There must be at least one member from each of the six geographical planning areas, as follows: Area 1 Maricopa; Area 2 Pima; Area 3 Apache, Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai; Area 4 Mohave, Yuma; Area 5 Gila, Pinal; Area 6 Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, Santa Cruz.

History

Responsibility for tourism development was originally part of the Office of Economic Planning and Development (OEPAD), Division of Development. In January of 1975, Governor Castro delivered his first address to the legislature, and recognized Arizona’s deepening economic problems. His first suggestion for addressing these problems was to place a greater emphasis on tourism.

In March of 1975, Governor Castro issued Executive Order 75-3, which created a separate Office of Tourism. The new office assumed responsibility for all tourism programs of the OEPAD, and was charged with developing tourism campaigns to promote the state’s recreational, natural, and historical attractions via state and national media. The AOT was also directed to conduct research, disseminate information, formulate policies, accept grants and disburse funds, to become the clearinghouse for all data relating to tourism in Arizona. However, OEPAD continued to perform administrative duties for the AOT until legislation established and statutorily recognized the separate Office of Tourism in 1978.

Laws 1978, Chapter 180 legislatively established and recognized the Office of Tourism. The AOT was led by a director, appointed by the governor. The director was responsible for promoting and developing tourism business, and conducting promotional campaigns. The director was also required to appoint an assistant director, with approval from the governor. The Tourism Advisory Council was composed of fifteen members, appointed by the governor, serving five-year terms, to assist and advise the director with establishing the budget, policies, and programs. The councilmembers included representatives from recreational and tourist attractions, hospitality and transportation industries, other tourism-related businesses, and the general public. The council was required to have at least one member from each of the six geographical planning areas of the state.

Laws 1982, Chapter 155 expanded the powers and duties of AOT. This law added the ability to charge fees for services and publications, and to engage in joint ventures with private corporations specifically designed to further the goals of AOT.

Laws 1988, Chapter 271 established the Tourism Fund, consisting of money from the general fund and appropriated by the legislature for promoting tourism in the state.

Laws 1996, Chapter 285 added qualification requirements for the director. The director must have at least five years of management experience in the domestic and international tourism and trade industry; a fundamental understanding of the technical elements of the tourism industry; and experience in either marketing or public relations.

Laws 1998, Chapter 241 created the AOT Workshop Fund. This fund is used for the governor’s tourism conference, and other projects according to legislative appropriation.

Laws 2001, Chapter 231, expanded the powers and duties of AOT to include cooperating with the Arizona-Mexico Commission in the governor’s office, and with researchers at Arizona’s universities, for data collection and special projects assessing and enhancing Arizona’s economic stance in the Arizona-Mexico region.

Sources

Related Resources at Archives

  • RG 32, Tourism, Office of
  • RG 36, Arizona Office of Economic Planning and Development