Giffords’ work fighting to stop boycotts, rebuild Arizona’s economy recognized at statewide tourism conference.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has gained statewide recognition as Arizona’s biggest champion for tourism for her work to stop the misplaced and harmful economic boycott against Arizona.

Brian Johnson, managing director of Loews Ventana Canyon Resort located in Giffords’ district in Tucson, and other tourism industry officials at last week’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism lauded Giffords for her fight against the boycott.

As reported by The Arizona Republic‘s Dawn Gilbertson on Sunday, July 18, Johnson “singled out U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., as the industry’s biggest supporter during the backlash. She has gone on national television to tout the industry’s economic impact in Arizona and to argue against boycotts. She also has called, at individual hoteliers’ requests, groups that are thinking of canceling meetings because they don’t want to face the controversy. ‘She has really stepped up to the plate as our tourism champion,’ Brian Johnson said. He and others suggested that attendees write her a thank-you note and/or make a campaign contribution.” (“Tourism industry: Elect candidates who back us,” The Arizona Republic, Jul. 18, 2010.) Read the full article here.

Gabrielle strongly opposes any boycott of Arizona. These boycotts are ill-conceived and counterproductive.  They harm innocent workers and businesses just as our state’s economy is beginning to recover from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Boycotts will drain needed tourism and tax dollars from our already struggling state and hurt Arizona hospitality workers more than any other segment of our economy. In recent weeks, Gabrielle has written to 43 cities and organizations and two federal agencies urging them to support Arizona’s workers and reverse plans to boycott in protest of Arizona’s new immigration law.