Arizona Office of Tourism has started using virtual reality in an effort to attract visitors to the state.

Mild temperatures during Arizona winters allow resorts to attract advance vacation planners, and the Arizona Office of Tourism recommends that travelers make getaway plans early for the best the state has to offer.

Travel and tourism are crucial to the state’s economic success, Stephanie Dowling, the new deputy director for the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) -- the only statewide marketing agency promoting the Grand Canyon State -- said.

Stephanie Dowling has joined the the Arizona Office of Tourism’s executive marketing team as deputy director of the state's travel destination marketing agency, to focus on strategic advertising and PR development, AOT announced Wednesday in Phoenix.