7 Tourism Areas Gilbert Can Build On
Several years ago, Gilbert was promoted as a community of excellence. Today, excellence includes being a clean, safe and vibrant community.
To preserve that status, we must continually take a leadership role as we grow and develop.
For example, in the past, Gilbert was not a tourist destination as there was little to attract state and national attention.
That has all changed.
Tourism has recently become a part of our community’s growth. We are now in a position to be a leader in the tourism industry by exploring and developing unique opportunities in our town.
During a work session with the Town Council in 2013, staff outlined many of our unique tourism attractions that Gilbert can and should develop.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hits a golf ball during the first annual Patrick Peterson Celebrity Golf Challenge at Top Golf in Scottsdale in 2015. Gilbert also is home to Top Golf. (Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)
Sports tourism. Examples include Top Golf, Big League Dreams and other large seasonal events that bring many visitors to our town.
History and culture tourism. Our local museum will be greatly expanding its mission and attraction through a program called community for all ages. In addition, many residents probably do not know that fossil pieces of a large Columbian Mammoth, turtles, camels and other Ice Age animals were discovered in Gilbert. What an opportunity for tourism discovery!
Medical tourism. This is growing because of the state-of-the-art facilities being built in Gilbert that are attracting patients and families from throughout the country.
Culinary tourism. This a vibrant sector of growth as Gilbert’s Heritage District becomes one of the Valley’s most visited downtowns.
New Urban tourism. Many of these visitors are attracted by the development of the Agritopia community.
Leisure tourism. This includes our nationally known dog park and a trail system that connects with the entire state.
Sciences and technology tourism. This sector will grow as facilities building satellites and researching the use of algae as a fuel develop their programs, and as more visits are made to the Valley’s only astronomy observatory dedicated for public use at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch.
Then there is the ongoing burrowing owl research at Zanjero Park where visitors (many who have never seen a burrowing owl) can see and photograph the only owl that lives below ground. Our riparian preserves attract approximately 200,000 eco-tourists every year seeking a nature experience in an urban setting.
In addition to the preserves, we have the opportunity to develop another 200-plus acres that could capitalize on this type of tourism by considering unique facilities such as a specialized nature center, hummingbird aviary, wildlife rehabilitation centers and “all things birds” centers.
At a time when we will soon be approaching build-out, we need to continue diversifying our economy.
By developing a creative tourism program in Gilbert, supported by consistent indicators and strong marketing, the town will be better positioned to use tourism activity as a large contributor to our economy rather than a small supplement, and we can continue our leadership role as a community of excellence.
Scott Anderson was a parks and recreation manager, founder of the Riparian Institute and former director of planning and zoning for the Gilbert.