Sedona, AZ — Recently, our city took a hit from a major metropolitan newspaper accusing Sedona residents of prejudice against “hippies.”
The hit came Nov. 12 from the New York Post in a story titled Fed-up Sedona residents begging LA hippies to stay away; ‘Hate what it’s become’ by Post writer Taylor Knight.
The article accuses Sedona of wanting to block Los Angeles residents visiting our town who may or may not be hippies that are looking for peace and enlightenment, rather than staying for extended periods and spending tons of money.
The article purports that local Sedona residents lament the influx of such seekers, quoting a local journalist who said that without destination marketing, travelers from Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and Californian overnighters come to Sedona without a clear plan on where to stay, eat, shop or what to do, according to the author.
There are those who believe that because the city no longer funds the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and targeted destination marketing, the quality of visitors has diminished and the people coming here are mostly day trippers that are ruining Sedona for the locals.
The article claims in its headline that residents “are begging” LA visitors to stay away, which is absolutely not true, sensationalistic and wrong. Residents simply want tourism in town to be better managed. Also, Sedonans don’t beg. We enlighten.
That headline and article hurt Sedona’s economy by convincing “hippies” or other mainstream visitors that they are not welcome here and should stay home or go somewhere else.
Add the impression that traffic for residents and tourists alike is a nightmare, and that’s yet another reason they should not come here.
Further, the author chooses quotes from non-residents and purported residents who clearly don’t like Sedona.
The truth is, most Sedonans do not believe the beautiful red rocks and stunning vistas, the sacred vibration of the land Sedona sits upon, belong exclusively to them. We don’t perceive ourselves as owners of the land; rather, as stewards with a sacred duty to share and preserve it.
We understand the magic of Sedona belongs to the world and cannot be bottled for us exclusively.
We are warm and gracious, and we welcome our visitors with love and light. Save for a few NYMBYs, we do not hate.
With many businesses in Sedona still struggling, we don’t need any more bad publicity.
We Sedonans are a tight knit community. It’s a small town. Many of us know each other. Any day of the week we might catch a friend shopping, or out eating or hanging out at many of the music venues in town.
The beauty of Sedona is the commonality that binds us together.
And each and every business, whether they be spas, meditation , crystal healing, hiking, exploring, tours, dining establishments, music venues, is a facet of the diamond that we are. There is something for everyone. In the glow of our mountains we bask.
No one has to tell us how important it is to support our businesses so we can continue to enjoy the perks we have. Articles like the one in the Post hurt Sedona. And authors need to realize just how powerful the words they spew are.
As a Sedonan myself, I don’t appreciate outsiders coming in and writing negative things about our city and community, especially those who garnish their articles with provocative and misleading headlines. Keep your leaky pens to yourself and if you have nothing to say, don’t say it
As Sedonan’s we don’t tell anybody or group to stay out of our town. If anyone should stay out, it should be scribes who think they know Sedona but actually know nothing at all.
By Tommy Acosta
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7 Comments
I want to know where are our city leaders are right now? Why haven’t they said anything so far defending Sedona? Thier silence is deafening. No one has said a peep in defense of Sedona. I’m glad Tommy had the guts to answer them back.
What are they to say or do? Tell them they’re wrong or despicable for their opinions? Depending upon who these “hippies” (very difficult to define these days) ran into and what their own behaviors were they could be 100% correct in their assertions.
I think that the negative reviews should be expected. With the significant increase in visitation since 2019, largely due to pandemic pressures and social media influencers, something has to give.
We need to remember that the local economy has increased about 1.55 times the value of the Sedona economy in 2019 to present. This local economy is significantly larger than the increase in inflation in that same period, by any measure. The anecdotal evidence of more visitation is in the increase in traffic congestion that we all see, and improving the transportation system will not fix that issue given our constraints.
So we can complain that these articles, three of which are very recent, point to traffic and overuse of trails, but they are speaking the truth. Over visitation along with photos of traffic backups and waits at Devils Bridge will continue. And some potential visitors will seek other locations.
What Sedona needs to come to terms with is that there is an upper limit of visitations that the local community, roads, and trails can absorb while still providing a positive visitor experience and also allowing residents to enjoy their community. We probably have too many visitors currently and something needs to give. I truly hope that the Tourism Advisory Board that the City just established can arrive at a plan that achieves all of our objectives and these articles no longer are true.
There is no doubt that over use is destroying and / or altering the delicate ecosystem around Sedona. All you have to do is take off you blinders and pull out your Bluetooth plugs when you walk the trails. The character and habits of tourists visiting has changed over the last 20 years. They aren’t interested in protecting the land . Only using it as a commodity. This is also true of the business community who is motivated by greed. Name one business in town that demonstrates any concern by visibly promoting the Leave No Trace Principals or the Sedona Pledge. Nada. Don’t tell me the care. I’m believe it when I see it.
Well said, Tommy.
As far as visitors staying in Sedona during their vacation, it is cost-prohibitive for many. Does that mean they are not to come and enjoy Sedona’s magnificence? Just because they choose the “stay” in Cottonwood or Flag doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to take advantage of what Sedona has to offer. Of course, ALL who visit should be stewards of the land. It is the tourist industry that supports Sedona. We can’t really choose our perfect tourist.
I will not be scared off by the NY Post. I have been there many times and have never had any issues or not felt welcomed.
If “Biden’s Economy” is doing so bad as the GOP claims it is how is it that everyone has been traveling en mass since he took office? Despite gasoline prices going up (probably halfway to where they actually should be considering how much we consume with our toys).
Loads of shiny new cars on the roads and huge homes being built all around.
Makes one wonder how that is possible?