Ads put Tucson 'out there'

"I think this destination is in a position where all the stars have aligned," says Peter Yesawich, vice chairman of MMGY Global, speaking of Tucson's potential for tourism.

Ads put Tucson 'out there'

Tucson has spent years promoting itself as a travel destination with typical images of saguaros, sunsets and golf courses - much like Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Brand new $135,00 guesthouse near Gates Pass Road must go

An aerial view shows the disputed guesthouse at lower right. Most of the neighbors who attended Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting opposed the variance request.

Brand new $135,000 guesthouse near Gates Pass Road must go

The Pima County Board of Supervisors wants a west-side resident to tear down his $135,000 guesthouse, which was erected too close to Gates Pass Road.

Brand new $135,000 guesthouse near Gates Pass Road must go

William Timmins' guesthouse, at 4870 W. McElroy Drive, is too close to Gates Pass Road, which has been designated a scenic highway. A 1984 rule says homes must be built at least 85 feet north of the road. The guesthouse, valued at $135,000, must be demolished, supervisors ruled.

New golf courses unlikely in Southern Arizona as costs rise, appeal fades

Alex Prewitt plays Dell Urich Golf Course, 600 S. Alvernon Way. The low areas on the courses have not been overseeded, and the water to those areas has been reduced. Courses increasingly are not watering transitional areas as they struggle with fewer golfers.

New golf courses unlikely in Southern Arizona as costs rise, appeal fades

For decades, Tucson's growth traced the edges of golf course after ever-longer golf course as developers sought premiums on lots adjacent to a sea of rolling emerald turf.

Marana to go it alone with own tourist bureau

The Marana Town Council has taken the first step toward creating its own separate visitors bureau.

Country Thunder releases additional campsites

Don't wait; these will sell out.

Tucson area already has 8 sites for pro-level sports, tourism study says

An early draft of a $49,000 study of local sports facilities concludes the Tucson area has venues for eight pro-level sports - not surprising since professional events in most of the eight have happened here recently.

Tour ruins, ghost town, ranch this month

March brings a bunch of free events for Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. See azstateparks.com for a complete list; here's a sample:

Race is on to tidy downtown in time for gem-show crush

City employees work in the rain to install rails for the new modern streetcar along South Granada Avenue, which lies just west of the Tucson Convention Center. As of Thursday, Granada had only one lane of traffic in each direction.

Race is on to tidy downtown in time for gem-show crush

This is the scene on South Granada Avenue as it approaches an underpass at Interstate 10. The road is a key artery for visitors to gem shows along the frontage road and the convention center.

Race is on to tidy downtown in time for gem-show crush

City officials say crews have been working overtime in an effort to get the streetcar construction completed before the gem shows. Business owners have complained that the work is a threat to their livelihoods.

Race is on to tidy downtown in time for gem-show crush

Tick tock. Tick tock. Streetcar crews have just seven days to transform chaotic construction zones downtown to pristine condition before the start of Tucson's gem-show season.

Visitors Bureau gives Marana hotels the boot

Tourists looking for information about the Tucson area won't find anything about Marana hotels and resorts from the local visitors bureau.

Raytheon, D-M are hub of Pima economic plan

Keeping major employers Raytheon Missile Systems and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base happy and growing is a top priority in County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry's new economic development plan.

Visitors bureau to recast itself as Visit Tucson

The Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau is getting a makeover, including a name change.

Website connects visitors to Arizona destinations

Cold mountain water streams through Sabino Canyon, which is included as one possible destination on the new website. The site lists historic, hiking and cultural destinations across the state, and is a work in progress.