SEDONA, Ariz. — Sedona’s growth isn’t just a possibility, it’s a certainty. And of course, when I say growth, I don’t mean population, it’s declining. The city of Sedona is landlocked, with minimal real estate available for most. However, I am sure that in the future we will see the construction of some apartment buildings in addition to more mega-mansions. And apart from the one currently on the list, there aren’t really any better hotels within the city limits. But let’s look at some compelling numbers about growth from the 20,000-foot level.

• Maricopa County Growth Projections:
  • Annual growth rate: 1.6%
  • Projected population growth: 333,957 people from 2022 to 2026
  • Maricopa, Arizona is currently the fifth fastest growing region in the United States, with a 7.1% increase in residents as of July 1, 2023, and a population of 4,615,909 in 2024, making it the fourth most populous region in the United States. This is the county with the most.

Arizona remains the 14th most populous state in the United States, with population growth expected to be 2.8% by 2025 and 5.1% by 2030. That’s obvious considering Sedona is only an hour and a half drive from Phoenix via expanded Interstate 17. This indicates that an increase in visitors is on the horizon. For comparison, the average age in Maricopa County is 37.4 years old, which is the perfect age for people looking to hike red rocks or visit the Greater Verde Valley’s wine country.

So how do we manage the influx of tourists from the valley and the millions of tourists who come from all over the world to experience Sedona? It is distributed throughout the wider Verde Valley region and northern Arizona. Perhaps we should refer to the area as three words, “Sedona Verde Valley,” rather than simply the Verde Valley or Greater Sedona, and combine those words to describe the entire region.

Lodging in Sedona is often booked out on many weekends, and with only four new or expanding hotels in Sedona (approximately 230 rooms), there is a lack of land suitable for lodging and “resort-style” hotels. It will probably be the last one due to limited lots. We encourage visitors to explore beyond Sedona itself.

Local cities like Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome, along with Camp Verde, must step up efforts to accommodate the increase in new visitors. Most hotel guests have already enjoyed the beauty of the federal “forest” or explored the Verde Valley, and if it is “sleeping” there, return to Sedona and the VOC in the evening.

Approximately 90% of the lodging in the Sedona Verde Valley area is located in Sedona and VOC. A new 80-room Hampton Inn is scheduled to open in Cottonwood next month, and another hotel is proposed near Out of Africa. This growth in accommodations to accommodate tourist traffic and overnight guests makes sense. Spread the wealth (and traffic).

Collaborative vision is essential. Local businesses, DMOs and chambers of commerce must come together to manage growth and preserve the region’s unique appeal. The Verde Valley’s burgeoning wine industry, combined with Cottonwood’s thriving restaurants and new hotels, presents a great opportunity to attract tourists to the region.

Regional marketing is key. There’s much more to see and do than Sedona’s iconic red rocks. We need to promote our wine industry, tasting rooms, and national monuments to showcase the rich diversity available throughout the valley. Encouraging visitors to explore the entire area will help alleviate some of the traffic congestion on Highway 89A and SR 179. It makes sense to encourage guests staying in Sedona and VOC to leave the area during the day and explore the greater Verde Valley.

The Sedona Chamber of Commerce has wisely rebranded as the Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce. While this is a positive step forward, more steps need to be taken, such as encouraging events like Sedona Winefest to be held in Cottonwood, closer to the wine industry itself. The rebranding of the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce as the Greater Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents the cities of Camp Verde, Cottonwood and Clarkdale, also signals a regional mindset taking shape.

Together, we can turn this impending growth into an opportunity for prosperity so that every community in the valley can benefit from the influx of tourists. Let’s embrace this change and work together to shape the future of Sedona and the surrounding region.

Our message is: “If you’re headed north this weekend, come visit the Sedona Verde Valley. A world of adventure awaits.”

• AI-generated images

Sincerely,
bear howard
Sedona.biz Unpaid Field Reporter and Philosopher