By Matthew Holloway |
Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, will receive the 2026 “Visionary for the Future” Award from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) at its annual Free Enterprise Summit, the nonprofit research organization announced this week.
The award recognizes leaders, CSI says, who demonstrate “innovation, bridge-building, and principled leadership” in addressing public policy challenges in Arizona. CSI stated in a press release that recipients are selected for their ability to clarify complex issues and advance practical, data-informed solutions that support long-term economic opportunity and prosperity.
Ridgway leads the Arizona Office of Tourism, the statewide agency tasked with promoting travel to Arizona for both domestic and international visitors. Governor Katie Hobbs announced on January 7, 2026, that Ridgway would serve as the agency’s director. She has held senior leadership roles within the Office of Tourism since 2019, including deputy director and interim director.
In its release, CSI said the Office of Tourism’s marketing efforts have generated “billions of dollars in tourism revenue,” contributing to economic activity across Arizona’s counties. The organization added, “Her leadership reflects a sustained commitment to strengthening one of Arizona’s most significant economic sectors.”
“Tourism is one of Arizona’s most important economic engines, supporting jobs and small businesses in communities across every county,” said Katie Ratlief, executive director of the Common Sense Institute.
Ratlief said Ridgway’s leadership helped keep Arizona competitive “on the national and global stage,” adding that by “pairing smart strategy with strong partnerships,” she has helped keep visitors coming, strengthened local economies, and reinforced tourism’s role in driving statewide prosperity.
According to recent data from the Arizona Office of Tourism, the recognition comes amid mixed results across several travel indicators. Airport passenger traffic is down 1% year-over-year, State Park visitation is down 8.4%, and National Park visitation is down 18%. At the same time, estimated tourism tax revenues are up 1.9%, with lodging revenue increasing 3.2% and short-term rental revenue up 0.5%.
The Free Enterprise Summit is CSI’s annual policy event; registration information and details are available on the group’s website.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
