Resident urges reservation systems as board weighs shuttle impacts and stewardship toolkit

Mark Tenbrook, a Sedona resident, told the Tourism Advisory Board that peak visitation is the community’s primary challenge and urged the board to recommend reservation systems for Sedona, citing other communities and recommendations from the Greater Sedona Recreational Collaborative.

"Peak visitation is our primary challenge here," Tenbrook said, arguing reservation systems reduce traffic congestion, evening out workforce demand and limiting environmental damage. He noted that many visitors are day trippers who come to hike the Red Rocks and that Forest Service trailhead lots are sized for a trail’s capacity, which can constrain where large numbers of visitors can park and enter recreational areas.

Board members raised questions about the Sedona Shuttle and new micro‑transit service: some said the shuttle may be underutilized because visitors and some staff are not aware of it, while others expressed concern that easier transit access could push more people to trailheads and potentially increase trail use beyond carrying capacity. Annette, the city’s new city manager, said she will ask the Forest Service whether "carrying capacity" in this context refers to trailhead parking size or trail capacity and report back.

The board also discussed a stewardship toolkit for hotels, businesses and STR managers that would contain images, videos, sample social posts and suggested confirmation‑email language. Members debated formats: some urged a primarily digital approach with QR codes that link to editable landing pages; others said a small number of hard copies or business‑card‑sized rack cards could help reach older or less‑digital visitors. Staff noted the city already co‑designed a "Good Neighbor" brochure with the Chamber and that Teresa Arthur is the city’s short‑term rental coordinator.

Several members suggested the board act as ambassadors by taking the toolkit to hotels, HOA meetings and community groups. Staff encouraged voluntary outreach and proposed that members share observations at future meetings as "current events." No formal policy decision or binding motion on reservation systems was taken; the discussion focused on whether to advocate, collect more information and coordinate with the Forest Service and transit staff.

Next steps indicated on the record include staff follow‑up with the Forest Service about carrying‑capacity definitions and a future presentation from the transit program manager to explain shuttle and micro‑transit operations in more detail.