Boycott has cost AZ more than $ 140M in convention business (so far)

[pinboy3niner]

Study: Boycott hit Arizona convention business hard
by Bob Christie - Nov. 18, 2010 10:06 AM
Associated Press


A boycott of Arizona in the wake of a controversial immigration law has cost the state more than $140 million in lost meeting and convention business, a new report released Thursday shows.

The economic impact analysis commissioned by the Center for American Progress put hotel industry losses during the first four months after the signing at about $45 million. Visitors would have spent an additional $96 million during their stays, said Angela Kelley, the group's vice president for immigration and advocacy.

"This is as much I think to serve a warning to other states, particularly those who rely on tourism and conferences and conventions, that there is an economic impact to it," Kelley said. "We feel like this is a very modest slice, just a piece of what the economic impact is, and we don't think that we're overstating it or overselling it."
<snip>

It also says lost bookings will probably continue for more than a year, multiplying the effect of a boycott called by immigrant-rights activists after Republican Gov. Jan Brewer signed the state's new law in April.


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/11/18/20101118arizona-immigration-boycott-study.html#ixzz15iZRAPkd

[lbrtbell]

1. The problem with that is...

If/when all 50 states enact similar laws--and with the federal government's failure to deal with the issue, this will eventually happen--whom do people boycott? Everybody?

What's especially ironic is that one of the targets this boycott hits hardest is the hotel industry...which employs a huge number of Hispanics. When hotels lose money, they lay off the lowest-paid workers. That's right, the boycott is putting Hispanics out of work. So much for "supporting" them.

Also, there are a lot of Democrats in Arizona, particularly in Tuscon and Phoenix (they're outnumbered in Phoenix, but they're there). Why hurt them for something they didn't do?

Blaming Arizona for the government's unwillingness to stop illegal immigration is a misdirection of anger. If the government were doing its job, there would be no outcry for laws of this nature.

The pressure needs to be put on Washington lawmakers, not on people who, in many cases, didn't even support the Arizona immigration law.

[Bobbieo]

2. Yuma county is Tea Party heaven and the snow birds have flocked here this year, as usual.

Boycott Arizona! - not around here.

[EFerrari]

3. Now that Brewer stays, people will continue to leave

with their businesses and their money. Arizona is going to be in bad shape.

[galileoreloaded]

4. Actually, its getting better in AZ strangely enough.

There are more jobs than ever on CL and Career Builder, and my 19 YO just picked up a job working for a landscaper making $17 an hour. Manual labor, 17 an hour. All because he has no criminal history, a clean license, and a strong back.

I hate to have to say it, but for entry level and those "jobs Americans won't do" there is human resource competition now, and it is driving wages up.

Hell, In-and-Out Burger STARTS at $10 an hour, and they are always hiring. Fast food!

Any other AZ DU'rs out there with similar or differing impressions?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. And I'll bet they're no longer late to work.

Especially if they go by train.

[EFerrari]

6. Things will be better for people doing manual labor

but as a whole, I expect Arizona to take a hit. This happens every time a law like this is passed and there is an exodus.