Locals Know Best
The Arizona Office of Tourism, the Sonoran Institute, Arizona BLM, and the
National Geographic, seek Your Nomination of favorite areas and special
sites found throughout the Southern Arizona-Sonora region, for a special
Geotourism MapGuide project.

  The Arizona Office of Tourism and the Sonora Office of Tourism, together with the Tucson-based Sonoran Institute and the Arizona Bureau of Land Management, are calling o­n locals to nominate their favorite areas and sites in the Southern Arizona-Sonora region that are geographically, culturally and historically unique.
  As part of a project with National Geographic to increase knowledge about sustainable tourism and destination stewardship, the Southern Arizona and Sonora regions are compiling a map of local attractions that help promote Geotourism, which is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.
  Called the Geotourism MapGuide project, this venture marks the first bi-national effort that National Geographic has undertaken and offers locals a chance to nominate potential points of interest for the map from the Greater Phoenix Metro area through Southern Arizona and Sonora. A map detailing the areas included can be found at www.ArizonaGeotourism.com.    
  Candidates might include a national park, museum or historic site, but might also be a private enterprise, such as a family-owned restaurant serving cuisine indicative of the border region’s heritage, a historic hotel or community-run craft center. National Geographic expects to receive more than 1,000 nominations of sites in both Southern Arizona and Sonora and after review by National Geographic, an estimated 300 sites will be included in the MapGuide.
  The Southern Arizona-Sonora region is comprised of historic structures and archaeological sites, scenic landscapes, traditional architecture and local music, cuisine, crafts, dances and other arts that are distinctive to the area. The MapGuide project will promote these attractions and teach tourists how to experience the area in a way that will minimize impact and preserve all of the attributes that make a location unique. Local communities will benefit through valuable tourist revenue that can help restore historic districts, support local craftspeople, preserve and develop local cuisines and retain traditional cultural celebrations and performing arts that would otherwise disappear.
  “With more than 55 million Americans who can be classified as ‘geotourists’, this project is more important than ever,” said Margie A. Emmermann, Arizona Office of Tourism Director. “This is an excellent opportunity to recruit community input and create a map that will truly showcase the diversity of the region.”
  To nominate a site, visit www.ArizonaGeotourism.com. Nomination forms can be downloaded and e-mailed to joaquin@sonoran.org or submitted directly to the Sonoran Institute at:
Sonoran Institute, Main Office
Attn: Joaquin Murrieta-Saldivar
7650 E. Broadway, Suite 203
Tucson, AZ  85710        
  Additional documentation such as maps, photos or brochures are welcome and can be mailed to the above address. Nominations will be taken through April 10, 2006. For more information about the project, please contact Marci Elizondo at the Arizona Office of Tourism at (602) 364-3720 or melizondo@azot.gov.

  Created as an executive agency in 1975, the Arizona Office of Tourism is charged with enhancing the state economy and the quality of life for all Arizonans by expanding travel activity and increasing related revenues through tourism promotion and development. AOT works to serve the Grand Canyon State’s travel industry and related businesses, the traveling public, and the taxpayers of Arizona.
  Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is o­ne of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and its four other magazines; the National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; radio programs; films; books; videos and DVDs; maps; and interactive media. National Geographic has funded more than 8,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, logon to www.nationalgeographic.com.