Home Based Travel Agent - November 2008 - (Page 25)

OPPOSITE: The Hualapai Ranch is a Western town that features cowboy performances THIS PAGE: A Hualapai blessing over the Grand Canyon, with spectators on the Skywalk in the background airport that accommodates nearly 30 tour companies with a 5,000-foot paved runway and 10 helipads. A new strip, scheduled to open soon, will be able to land small jets. Other expansion plans are in the works, including a hotel that will turn the destination into a proper resort. “Tourism is the sole means of income for the Tribe,” says Colin Daviau, a spokesman for Grand Canyon West, adding that the Hualapai have “faced years of social adversity and economic hardship. For example, in the past, unemployment was over 50 percent. Grand Canyon West and the other Hualapai tourism options have provided hundreds of jobs to tribal members, and given hope for an independent future for their children.” Beyond that, Daviau adds, the resort “helps preserve their history. At Grand Canyon West, visitors are immersed in the Hualapai culture. Near the Skywalk, the Hualapai perform traditional dances, and there is an Indian Village where visitors can walk into authentic Hualapai dwellings called wikiups. They also feature several other regional tribes in the dances and at the Indian Village.” Clearly, visitors to the Grand Canyon are responding to the unique opportunities Grand Canyon West offers. In 2007 alone (not coincidentally, the year the Skywalk opened), Grand Canyon West quadrupled its number of employees, which provided job opportunities to hundreds of Hualapai men and women. Beyond the Grand Canyon In addition to the Skywalk, there are numerous points of interest for visitors to Grand Canyon West. Guano Point (named for the bat-dropping mine that operated there in the 1930s) features panoramic canyon views, and includes the Hualapai Market, Guano Point Café and the historic Highpoint Hike. Eagle Point hosts Native American dance performances, an Indian Village with authentic recreations of multiple tribes’ dwellings and the Skywalk Café. The Hualapai Ranch is a Western town with cowboy performances, horseback riding, wagon rides and a traditional Cowboy Cookout. The Hualapai also operate the only one-day whitewater-rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The Hualapai River Runners take visitors down the river parallel to Route 66, offering cultural impressions of the area from a local perspective. The rafts depart from Peach Springs, AZ, the capital of the Hualapai tribe. The rapids scale from class three to seven, and the trip ends with a helicopter flight to the top of Grand Canyon West. “Once people get there, they like the genuine pristine quality of the Grand Canyon,” Daviau says.“Grand Canyon West offers a completely unobstructed view of Arizona’s most valued natural wonder. There are security guards to protect people from the edge in most places, but there are no handrails. Visitors also like the strong Native American presence there. They find it very interesting to see the culture and tradition of the Native American people.” Agents can view a complete list of activities, book reservations and get directions on the web at www.destination grandcanyon.com or by calling 877-716HB WEST (9378). NOVEM B ER 2008 Home-BasedTravelAgent 25 http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com

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Home Based Travel Agent - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Publisher’s Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Cultural Tourism Luxury Hotels For the Traveler: Luxury For the Agent: Luxury For the Traveler: Latin America For the Agent: Latin America Hawaii For the Traveler: Provence For the Agent: Provence For the Traveler: Florida For the Agent: Florida Home-Based Agent Expo New Products

Home Based Travel Agent - November 2008

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