Arizona boycotts not impacting tourism; hotel bookings up (Phoenix, Scottsdale)

From this:

Recent data compiled by a market research group show hotel bookings across the state -- as well as in tourism hot spots Phoenix and Scottsdale -- have been on the rise the past two months.

The data from hotel industry research firm STR showed that for the state of Arizona, hotel occupancy was up 5.7 percent in May and up 8.3 percent in June compared with the same time a year ago.

In Phoenix, occupancy was up 10.6 percent in June; in Scottsdale, it was up 10.7 percent for the same period. Revenue also was up, with Arizona hotels raking in $148 million last month -- up more than 11 percent from a year ago.

Not only that, but their industry expects to hire 2,000 to 3,000 new employees due to investments. There are some caveats: 2009 was according to the article a slow year, and some convention business might be impacted. However, the data above provides an effective counterweight to those who would spread tall tales about the boycotts having an impact.

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