Economic Impact and Contribution of Arizona Highways Magazine to State Tourism

To determine the influence that Arizona Highways Magazine (AHM) and its branded products have on tourism and the economy in Arizona, this study examined the influence of the AHM brand—the magazine, its related retail products, television program, and Facebook page—on tourism to and within Arizona; determined trip characteristics of Arizona travelers influenced by AHM-related products and services; and estimated AHM’s economic impact on travel. Several survey efforts collected travel and spending data that were analyzed with IMPLAN software. Focus groups conducted with television viewers provided additional information. Responses showed that AHM, its products, Facebook page, and television show collectively have a significant impact on the decisions to travel to and in Arizona. The AHM brand increased interest in traveling in the state and informed travel decisions. Based on data from AHM survey respondents, AHM-influenced travel made a substantial economic impact throughout the state; visitor spending—by out of-state subscribers, Arizona subscribers, and AHM shoppers—was extrapolated to have contributed millions of dollars to state and local income tax and supported industries such as lodging, restaurants, and retailers. Estimated visitor expenditures supported 628 Arizona jobs. The minimum benefit/cost ratio of the magazine was calculated at 3.74:1, so for every dollar spent by AHM, at least $3.74 enters Arizona’s economy from out-of-state subscribers due directly to the magazine.

• Record URL:
  https://adotrc-agic.hub.arcgis.com/documents/azgeo::finalrpt-spr-764-economic-impact-and-contribution-of-arizona-highways-magazine-to-state-tourism/explore
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60285
• Corporate Authors:

  Arizona State University, Phoenix

  Center for Sustainable Tourism
  Phoenix, AZ  United States 

  Arizona Department of Transportation

  206 South 17th Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Andereck, Kathleen
  • 0000-0001-5900-3976
  • Vogt, Christine
  • 0000-0001-7433-0799
  • Lee, Woojin
  • 0000-0002-7571-9779
  • Chhabra, Deepak
  • 0000-0003-4565-0325
  • Nyaupane, Gyan
  • 0000-0002-0814-8507
  • Jordan, Evan
  • 0000-0002-6924-2628
  • Pham, Kim
  • 0000-0002-7413-6432
• Publication Date: 2020-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 41p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Economic impacts; Periodicals; Tourism; Tourists; Travel behavior
• Geographic Terms: Arizona
• Subject Areas: Economics; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01782644
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AZ-764-20
• Contract Numbers: SPR 000-1(020) 764
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 22 2021 5:09PM