Flagstaff, Arizona’s journey in sustainable tourism has been underway for years, with private and public sectors working alongside communities to preserve cultural legacy while building toward future potential.
On our trip for Where Next?, the combination of natural beauty, rich heritage, and impact-driven infrastructure was strongly evident.
The Flagstaff Urban Trails System, or FUTS for short, offers over 50 miles of paths, ideal for cycling or walking, enabling visitors to explore the town and its natural surroundings without the need for a car.
World-famous monuments nearby, like Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater Volcano, are easily accessible from Flagstaff and offer insights into the area’s natural and cultural history. It’s all about preserving these landscapes, so every visit supports conservation. The green pine forests around the Grand Canyon region are a vital part of the local ecosystem and a focus for sustainable tourism.
In this film, you’ll also see a local brewery committed to sustainability. By exclusively using local ingredients and reducing waste, they’re showcasing eco-friendly brewing practices. Here, you can grab a pint and feel good about it.
And if you’re into stargazing, the Lowell Observatory is another gem. Flagstaff is the world’s first International Dark Sky City, where efforts to curb light pollution both preserve the stars and cut wasted energy — inviting travelers to experience Arizona’s night sky sustainably.
Sustainable Travel: Where Next?
This film is part of Sustainable Travel International’s Where Next series, a documentary collection showcasing sustainable tourism examples from destinations and companies worldwide, produced in partnership with Blackrook Media.
