27 April 2010

ArizonaÃ¢â¬â¢s new law akin to shooting tourist business in the foot

US meeting planners are gleeful about Arizona's passage of a much-maligned immigration law that will almost certainly create a travel backlash that will inevitably reduce its success as a meeting destination.

Leisure travel might also be impacted by the law that allows law enforcement to question people’s immigration status.

"One small example of how heated the debate is: In the roughly 10 hours since USA Torday posted its latest story ‘Arizona immigration law creates rift,’ 750 readers have submitted comments," the newspaper says.

Some bloggers have said they are putting Tucson and Scottsdale off their future travel lists.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has already started to court visitors who object to the new law. "We're happy to have those businesses and tourists come here," Bloomberg told a Phoenix TV station.

Bloomberg said that the "bill…could have a chilling effect on international business travel, investment, and tourism in that state, as many people from around the world may think twice before visiting Arizona and subjecting themselves to potential run-ins with the police."

By David Wilkening