Arizona tourism preps for possible SB 1070 backlash
Jun 27, 2012, 7:54 AM
The original passage of SB 1070 had a negative impact on Arizona’s tourism industry.
With the controversial law making local and national headlines once again, it’s too soon to tell if it will send industry experts into a panic.
In 2010, the Arizona Office of Tourism had zero dollars to promote the state. There were no funds available to counteract the bad publicity brought on by the controversy surrounding the tough immigration law.
This time around, Arizona appears to be prepared.
“The governor and legislature did allot $7 million for tourism promotion to the Arizona Office of Tourism, so in the next fiscal year, we’ll be able to remind people about all the wonderful reasons they should visit Arizona,” said Kristen Jarnagin with the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association.