SB 1070 Tourism Effects

(Yuma, Ariz.) The highly controversial immigration law implemented in 2010, referred to as SB 1070, is being blamed for a drop in the states convention industry.

In a report from the Phoenix Convention Center, they project an estimated $132 million in losses compared to 2009, before the law was put into effect.

Despite the losses, executive director of the Yuma Tourism Bureau Linda Jordan says Arizona has seen an overall boost in its retail economy.

“In the last study done, which was in 2008-2009, the amount of dollars brought in from Mexico was a large amount and has actually grown,” she said.

She attributes this to the economy turning around; however Jordan agrees that the law has created a negative image of Arizona, especially in the eyes of the Hispanic population. She believes that the state needs to be more open to the needs of tourists south of the border.

“We need to do things in our stores, in our restaurants, in our hotels that make people feel welcome, and we need to do a better job of providing services that they need.”

More than 6 percent of Arizona’s economy is fueled by spenders from Mexico.