Posted: Jul 13, 2010 7:41 PM
Updated: Jul 13, 2010 10:06 PM
TUCSON - Hundreds of tourism officials from all over the state are in Tucson talking about the fallout over SB1070.
Controversy surrounding the immigration enforcement law has made news worldwide. Now tourism officials are talking about what 1070 boycotts have cost them.
Sherry Henry, director of Arizona's Office of Tourism, says, "We do not know that number. We know that some of the hotels have reported that specific groups have been cancelled. And they're showing a number of about $12 million at this point in time."
Tourism officials say they're trying to convince travelers that boycotts punish the wrong people.
Debbie Johnson, president of the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association, says, "We have 200,000 employees in our industry and they need their paychecks. And we need to get that message across that when businesses cancel it hurts the tourism employees, not the legislators."
Governor Jan Brewer told reporters she believes boycotts will decline now that the U.S. Justice Department has filed its suit over 1070 on grounds other than racial profiling.
Brewer says, "There was no indication whatsoever at all about racial profiling and that seemed to have been the buzz word. So I think we're on the road to return."
Her advice to the 600 people at a Tuesday luncheon is, "Arizona's brand is proven and strong. And the focus needs to be educating travelers about the realities and the truths about Senate Bill 1070."
Democratic State Senator Paula Aboud, who was in the audience, hoped for more.
Aboud says, "The {Governor's} message is we have to go out and educate about this 1070 bill.
No, that's not what we have to do. We have to bring people here and tell them how great Arizona is. "
Governor Brewer also announced that she's given approval to a $250,000 national and international marketing campaign.
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