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Yuma Unveils Historic Promotion
Yuma hotel guests to dine free 'every day the sun doesn't shine'
A lot has changed in Yuma over the last century - but one thing that hasn't is the reliable sunshine that favors this southwestern
town an average of 350 days a year.
In fact, back in the day, Yuma hotels boasted that they offered "free board every day the sun doesn't shine." Now, in honor of
Arizona's Centennial celebration, the whole community will renew the historic offer for twelve months beginning August 1.
"Since Yuma is known as America's sunniest city, we think that this is a perfect way to shine a light on our climate and celebrate a century of hospitality," said
Susan Sternitzke, executive director of the Yuma Visitors Bureau. "It's a natural - literally."
True to the original promotion, the new "free board" campaign will provide complimentary meals at participating restaurants for registered guests of participating
hotels. An officially sunless day - "Code Gloom" - will be declared by a committee of YVB staff, board members and meteorologists as of 5 p.m. and announced to
the public when hotels place a life-size cutout of an umbrella-toting Yuma Mayor Alan Krieger in their lobbies.
Hotels then will validate and date-stamp "free board" certificates which will be good for a complimentary meal at variety of restaurants until 5 p.m. the next day
(limit two meals per room). Certificates will include a few survey questions, and will serve as the bearers' entry in a grand prize drawing. YVB is also
encouraging other area businesses to come up with their own specials, discounts or giveaways for Yuma's rare sunless days.
"Sunshine is a big factor in all of our 'big three' industries, agriculture, military and tourism," Sternitzke said. "Especially with Arizona celebrating its
100th birthday, we think this is a fun way to showcase our rich heritage of hospitality and our everyday spectacular weather."
Is picking up the tab for a party of thousands of people a big gamble to take in what's still a recovering economy? Sternitzke and her members don't think
so.
"Gloom isn't part of our outlook," she said. "Sunshine is something you can take to the bank."
"Yuma's future is so bright you gotta wear sunglasses," Sternitzke added, donning the shades-and-trench-coat disguise she used - along with a high-tech aluminum
briefcase handcuffed to her wrist - to unveil the shiny new promotion at YVB's recent annual meeting.
A longtime favorite destination for sun-seeking snowbirds, Yuma's population nearly doubles in the winter months, thanks to more than 23,000 spots in RV parks
and resorts. The community also offers nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, conference and meeting facilities, and led the state with an increase of 21.5 percent in hotel
occupancy in April of 2011 (compared to April 2010).
For more details about Yuma's summer special, year-round attractions, special events - and the "cloudy with a chance of tacos" forecast, call 800-293-0100 or
visit www.visityuma.com.
Yuma Visitors Bureau markets the Yuma area within the travel and tourism industry and to the general public. Direct travel spending in Yuma County totaled
more than $577 million in 2009 and supported nearly 6,000 jobs. Travel spending in the county also generated more than $36 million in state and local
taxes.
If you would like more information on the City of Yuma please contact: Kristan Sheppeard, 928-376-0100 (office), (928)246-9108 (cell),
kristan@visityuma.com or call the Visitor Information Center: 1-800-293-0071. |
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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