Arizona tourism fears long-term effects

It's been a long, hot summer for Arizona even without the help of the scorching temperatures that have made the state's landscape so unforgettable for many visitors.

Tourists are still flocking to beautiful places such as the Grand Canyon, Lake Havasu and the resort town of Sedona, and hotel occupancy is up across the state despite a political storm that prompted some to call for a boycott of Arizona's hospitality industry.

But while the leisure snapshot seems encouraging, tourism officials say they are worried about the long-term impact on lucrative business travel, which they say may be affected for years to come.

At least 40 groups have canceled meetings or conventions in Arizona since Gov. Jan Brewer signed a new immigration bill, said Kristen Jarnagin, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association.

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