Discover everything Marana has to offer.
Picture the Future of Marana’s Tourism Economy
We're on a journey to make Marana even better than it is today
Restaurants, shopping, hiking, biking, golf, culture and outdoor adventures. These are the top things tourists are looking for when it comes to choosing a destination to visit. They're also the top things residents are looking for to enjoy their community!
We want to know, what are we missing? What makes Marana unique? What do you already love about living (or visiting) here, and what could make you love it even more?
Help Unlock Marana's Potential!
Tourism is at least a $150 million dollar industry in Marana. We have our own tourism office and brand (Discover Marana) to tell our story and attract both visitors and locals to shop, dine, stay and play in the community.
What else would it take to make Marana a destination with everything a visitor needs?
Help us develop a Tourism Master Plan, a ten-year roadmap to make tourism a sustainable part of our economy, while preserving what we love best about our town.
Our survey is now closed but more input will be gathered in the coming months--stay tuned!
The Discover Marana team was featured on the Town of Marana Podcast with Town Manager Terry Rozema. Click here to learn more or find it on your favorite streaming platform!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give some context about tourism in Marana? Why are we doing things differently than the other towns in our area and having our own tourism initiatives? 10 years ago, when the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain was built here in Marana, town leaders had the opportunity to either go with the local DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) or start one from scratch. The Town of Marana has always been a trailblazing community, so the choice was made to keep tourism tax dollars local and tell our own story.
Can you provide an overview of what Tourism Master Planning entails? Why are we doing it? Tourism Master Planning is a ten-year strategic planning initiative focused on the “shop, dine, stay, and play” parts of our local economy. For the next several months we’ll be surveying, interviewing, and gathering information about the “current state” of tourism in our community. Following that effort, we’ll start to create a plan to fill in the gaps of what we’re missing, develop plans for new attractions, and create a roadmap to success.
How does tourism contribute to the economic development and growth of Marana? Every visitor to our community helps infuse our area with sales tax, tourism taxes (also called the “bed tax”), and support for local jobs and businesses. Additionally, when we create a wonderful place to live, new people are attracted to Marana and want to live here. Having a strong base of talent in various sectors will help us attract new employers as well!
What unique attractions does Marana offer that make it an attractive destination for tourists? We offer a laid-back spot for outdoor adventures for all abilities and ages! You’ll find hiking, biking, golfing, and birding all within minutes. Click here for an overview of all we have to offer.
How can residents of Marana get involved or contribute to the ongoing tourism master planning efforts? Our first step was a community-wide survey to help us gather important data. We’ll begin holding community meetings later this year. Look out for information in the coming months here on DiscoverMarana.org and our social media channels.
Can you discuss any recent initiatives or projects related to tourism development in Marana? Last year, the Town Manager organized a Restaurant Task Force to help recruit new spots to eat to the town. That effort is on-going. We also launched the Taste of Marana STANDOUT award which recognizes the local establishments we already have for their outstanding food, service, and dedication to our community. We’d love to have your nomination for the next winner! Click here to nominate.
How does Marana balance the preservation of natural landscapes and cultural heritage with the need for tourism development? We want to welcome visitors, but we also want to ensure that our natural resources and cultural areas are protected. We’ll be addressing this in our Master Planning.
What role do local businesses play in the tourism ecosystem of Marana, and how are they supported in the master planning process? Key local businesses are part of our Tourism Master Planning, either through direct participation in the committee or via one-on-one interviews. Without our local businesses, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are as a destination. We’re stronger together!
How does Marana collaborate with neighboring communities or regional tourism organizations to enhance visitor experiences? We collaborate with Oro Valley’s Tourism department as well as the region's towns and cities by participating in the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism and Film Authority activities. We want everyone in our region to be successful and supporting their efforts means they’ll support ours as well.
Are there any upcoming events or developments in Marana's tourism sector that I should be excited about? There is so much to be proud of in Marana! The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain was just awarded the prestigious Double Five-Star recognition by Forbes Travel Guide—the only resort in Arizona to achieve this---for the fifth straight year. We held two cycling events this past spring that brought world-class pros to the town, and we always have events coming up thanks to our Parks and Recreation team, including Founders’ Day, Concerts in the Courtyard, and the Star-Spangled Spectacular on July 4th.