Ain’t a ‘misunderstanding,’ by the way. Arizonans got the message loud and clear. Louder and clearer than desired, in fact.
UPDATE: Welcome, Instapundit readers.
“…doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t visit:”
San Diego tourism leaders and hoteliers fear they could lose a sizable chunk of business this summer from valued “Zonies” who are so angered by elected leaders’ recent censure of Arizona for its illegal-immigration law that they’re mounting an informal boycott of their own.
The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and several hotels report receiving e-mails and letters from Arizona visitors saying they intend to change their plans to travel here in light of local outcry over their home state’s anti-illegal-immigration stance.
Tourism officials are striking back. In an open letter, they urge Arizona residents to overlook local politics and come to San Diego just as they always have for its mild climate, beaches and attractions.
Read the whole thing, especially the parts where the Democratic legislators involved are stammering over the alarming revelation that their act of political … ah, ‘auto-eroticism’… actually had adverse consequences in Big-Person Land. I encourage the San Diego hospitality industry to contemplate the implications of this; and to further contemplate that the solution to their problems with an insulted customer base lies with dealing with the insulters, not the insultees…
Moe Lane
Crossposted to RedState.
IF the situation with Arizona offending Liberals was reversed to Conservatives, the states and businesses reneging on contracts, etc. would be facing all sorts of Fed charges re: Interstate Commerce, mail fraud…
I also find it amusing that CA would try to put the squeeze on AZ by refusing to do business with them, and canceling contracts that they legally could. Don’t they realize that the companies in AZ won those contracts because they were the lowest bidders? That means that in order to do business with someone else, an already bankrupt state is willing to pay extra money for the same service in order to score political points with people who cannot vote, or will not vote. Morons!
A data point to keep in mind is that Arizona’s luxury hotels are significantly cheaper off season. You can stay at the Arizona Biltmore this summer for as little as $119 which is what I have paid to stay at a Holiday Inn Express in some locations. It is hot and dry outside so drink plenty of fluids but I think you will enjoy a visit.
We have business travel/vacation already planned to CA to visit friends, but they are not in a “boycott AZ zone”. However, in June or July, we plan to visit Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, and the Canyon de Chelly instead of San Diego and SoCal.
AZ might want to have all those CA deserters to show their papers at the border to see if AZ wants to allow them to migrate…
We were planning a wine tasting trip to the California central coast, but have decided that our tourist dollars should be spent in Arizona instead.
If I were Arizona, I’d also stop providing power and water to the idiots in California. Let them have their cake and eat it too!
Being a San Diego native and actively involved in the tourism business here for a number of years I find it very sad that we can’t find a way to just put the political issues to rest,at least during our vacation time. I have always been one to welcome visitors to our great city with open arms, especially our friends from Arizona. Immigration indeed is a HUGE problem here, it always has been. Personally I totally agree with what Arizona has done and I believe the majority of San Diego residents (who do not hold public office agree). I just want to say that whatever our differences are at this time with this issue you are and always will be welcome here. Vic in San Diego.
Perhaps Mr Reyes of the LA City Council should peruse the California Penal Code. There is a section of the code that exactly MIRRORS the ‘new’ Arizona law.
But that would require Mr Reyes to actually THINK, instead of just posturing for his buddies in La Raza. Reyes is one of the reasons that LA is rapidly becoming a 3rd world city.
I live in California and wasn’t really planning to do anything this year. But it certainly looks like a good time to see some patriot’s at the grand canyon. Sounds like fun.
Isn’t California criticizing Arizona for a law that California has allready had on the books for years now? Look at Cal Penal Code 834.
I suggest they look into Orance County. It’s up above SD and quite nice. Plus I doubt it has the same PC issues…
Go Zonies! I live in San Diego and I for one oppose the San Diego City Council’s myopic view that they actually have a say in the wishes of the people of Arizona. 8 councilperson’s voted to “scold” Arizona. You need to know that they are all left leaning, union supported politicians. Who else has the money (and votes) to sway city wide elections?
The San Diego City Council’s action does not represent the majority of San Diegans. SO I SUPPORT YOUR SOCAL BOYCOTT. HIT THE F@^#%$ING POLITICIANS WHERE IT HURTS!
I had to travel to Az during the summer a few years ago. Hot during the day but absolutely delightful after sun down. I’m a night person. I think Az will be my destination tis year.
Family is planning a 3 day 28 room reunion in San Diego for July. Booking will be cancelled. I/3 of us have Arizona addresses.