Printable VersionArizona’s economy is governed by the five C’s: cotton, cattle, climate, citrus and copper. The tourism industry would love to see culture added to the mix.
 Submitted Photo Cultural and ecotourists can see the wonders of the Colorado River, the Havasu Wildlife Refuge and the petroglyphs of Topock Gorge (above) up close by taking a Western Arizona Canoe and Kayak Outfitter tour of the area. Cultural tourism is becoming big business, according to a recent study by Northern Arizona University. |
“Cultural tourism is one part of a bigger picture, which is sustainable tourism,” said Jarrod Lyman, vice president of the Lake Havasu Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Sustainable tourism has all the positive impacts of commonly known types of tourism, where people come in and spend money but is different in that it focuses on less of an impact to the environment.”
A perfect example is Western Arizona Canoe and Kayak Outfitter. WACKO offers kayak trips through Topock Gorge, the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge and around the Island.
“The reaction is fabulous. The people just love it,” said WACKO owner Jim Abdon.
Abdon also is the circulation manager for Today’s News-Herald.
WACKO provides everything but food, drinks and ice and sends the kayakers downriver from Topock Marina. The self-guided tour runs 15 miles downriver through the gorge and ends at Castle Rock.
“We tell people how to find the petroglyphs. They can stop wherever they want and take as much time as they want to enjoy the beauty of the river and the (Havasu National Wildlife) Refuge,” Abdon said.
Petroglyphs are American Indian images carved into the 500-foot gorge walls.
Because there are no tributaries to the river, kayakers rarely get lost no matter what cove they decide to stop in to explore. A 3 mph current at their back means they don’t have to paddle too hard to reach Castle Rock to end their day.
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