“SB1070 continues to worry Arizona hotels”

SB1070 continues to worry Arizona hotels

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 06:58 PM PDT

Businesses in the tourism industry have lost millions because of the state's immigration law but tourism leaders warn it could get worse.

The Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association said hotels and resorts in the state are seeing a drop in business as groups continue to cancel or avoid booking conferences because of Senate Bill 1070 or perceptions about it.

"I think any time there's something controversial that would even cause a group to think there's something negative it's an easy choice when you have so many other destinations to choose from," said Debbie Johnson, President and CEO of the association.

Many groups typically book conferences a year or two in advance but Johnson said some hotels and convention bureaus have seen a drop in call volume of up to 40 percent.

While the economy could be partly to blame, some hotels said some groups who had tentatively booked backed out after the law passed and moved their conferences to other states.

Johnson said the tourism industry relies on those conferences and without them jobs could be at risk and the ripple effect could also end up having an impact on all Arizonans.

"The impact is going to be on our state and it's going to be on education, health care, and public safety because of the tax revenue that our state contributes to the general fund," Johnson said.

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