Is Political Rhetoric Hurting Ariz. Tourism?

(CBS)  Between the economy and boycotts related to Arizona's tough new immigration law, SB 1070, tourism in the state is hurting.

The frightening rhetoric of the state's politicians - which runs opposite to available crime data - may contribute to the slide.

The Rancho de la Osa Guest Ranch in Sasabe, Ariz., has a storied past: Built more than 300 years ago by missionary Father Eusebio Kino, it's been attacked by Pancho Villa and visited by LBJ.

Its proximity to the Mexican border used to be a selling point for guests, according to current owners Veronica and Richard Schultz. Now, they tell CBS Affiliate KPHO, it's been bringing cancellations.

"We've definitely lost guests," Richard Schultz told KPHO investigative reporter Morgan Lowe. "We've had guests call us, we've had friends call us from all over the country and say, 'Hey, are you safe?'"

And they're not alone. Between the economy and boycotts related to Arizona's tough new immigration law SB 1070, tourism is hurting.

According to the state's Tourism Board, visitors' spending in Arizona, at $16.6 billion, fell 10.2% in 2009, compared to $18.5 billion the year before.

There were 35.3 million visitors to the state in 2009, 2.1 million fewer than in 2008.

The office blamed the situation on the condition of the national economy, airlines cutting their capacity, and the H1N1 virus, as well as negative perceptions by business meeting and convention planners to host their events there.

Judging by what's being broadcast in the run-up to this year's elections, state politicians and candidates for office are not helping matters.

During this election cycle, Arizona politicians appear to be touting how dangerous the state is, with Gov. Jan Brewer's voice being one of the loudest.

"Terrorists can come across [the border]," Gov. Brewer said on Fox News, triggering "kidnappings and extortions and the beheadings."

In April Brewer told Fox's Greta Van Susteran that as a result of illegal immigrants and terrorists, Arizonans are facing "automobile accidents, extortion, drugs, the spillover with the drug cartel - we're facing all of this."

And in a campaign ad attacking the federal government's response to border security, Brewer pointed to a sign posted in the Arizona desert reading, "Danger: Public Warning - Travel Not Recommended," and asked, "Does this look safe to you?"

Lowe reports that Brewer has made several statements to the national media whose validity KPHO could not confirm, such as her allegation that most illegal immigrants in Arizona "are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels, and they are bringing drugs in."

The U.S. Border Patrol said that statement is false.

Brewer also said law enforcement officials have found decapitated bodies in the desert. Calls by KPHO to Arizona's border county medical examiners revealed that statement to be untrue.

Brewer isn't the only one touting a rise in crime.

"Out-of-control," Pinal County's elected Sheriff Paul Babeu described the climate of crime in Arizona to Fox News. "This violence has increased."

What kinds of violence? "Drug and human smuggling, home invasions, murder," Republican Sen. John McCain said, appearing with Babeu in a campaign video on border security.

In an interview with National Review Online, GOP Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth called violence in Arizona "staggering," and said that "Most people along the border are armed.

"In one particularly brutal instance, rival gangs of human smugglers had a rolling shoot-out along Interstate 10 in southern Arizona. Parents don't let their children play in the yard unless they are with them … and armed. Dogs are routinely poisoned.

"I could go on and on," he said.

Yet a look at available crime data shows violent crime in Arizona has actually been dropping over the last several years.

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, the violent crime rate across Arizona has dropped every year since 2004 - down by 7.4% in 2007-2008.

The murder rate in Phoenix has dropped 50% since 2003.

Even illegal border crossings are half of what they were in 2004, dropping 49%.

The U.S. Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke, told KPHO, "If you're not into drug trafficking and you're not into human smuggling, you're going to be safe. This is a safe place to live."

But that message is not getting out, causing concern in the state capital.

"If you're hearing about beheadings and you're hearing about things so drastic occurring, would you want to bring your family and friends here to Arizona?" State Senator Leah Landrum Taylor told KPHO's Lowe.

Taylor said a drop in tourism dollars from all of the bad publicity could drastically impact the state's already-ailing budget.

(KPHO)

Lowe confronted Brewer at an event last week and asked her, "When the head of a state goes on national television and says things like 'headless bodies in the desert . . . '"

"I'm not going to comment on that any further in regards to that," Brewer replied. "But I will tell you it is the responsibility of the governor to speak to the public and tell them what is happening in Arizona. We've got a terrible problem with drug cartels."

"According to all of the information we have, Arizona is safer today than it's been in years," Lowe said. "How come you're not getting that message out?"

Brewer would not answer, but her office submitted a statement to KPHO saying, "The focus here is crime. Governor Brewer sees Arizona as a wonderful place to live, work and visit with the state's warm welcoming people, year-round sunshine, business-ready environment, rich history, and culture. Statements don't harm Arizona, but crime certainly does. Governor Brewer is concerned that the lack of a secure international border is a serious problem, and if allowed to continue, will hurt Arizona's quality of life.

"There is no question that the federal government's abject failure to secure our national border has had severe economic impacts to our state. This is not just a Governor Brewer claim. In fact, when she was Governor, Janet Napolitano frequently made comments about the hundreds of millions of dollars the federal government owed our state due to their failures."

[rodeoma]

Isn't everyone else SO TIRED of the RACIST word being thrown out there! My gosh, so if I rob a bank or for that matter just even steal a loaf of bread to "feed my family" I have broken the law and have to PAY THE CONSEQUENCES! The laws of our Country dictate and are implemented for the "good of our society" not to just be ignored. I get so angry when we hear about the people here illegally that they are only trying to "feed their families" or "make a better life for themselves," but what about US? Haven't WE, the taxpayers of America worked hard to make a better life for people who are US Citizens? Who have the RIGHT TO BE HERE? YOU DO NOT GET TO JUST COME INTO OUR COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. I don't steal bread or take someone's wallet to feed my family...but that's what I feel like, that these people are STEALING FROM US! OH, many say they do jobs that Americans won't. But who did these jobs BEFORE THEY CAME HERE? The Okies and the Arkies and whoever else needed a job. Maybe all the protesters who march in AZ and CA or the Groups opposing the AZ bill should bus themselves down to Mexico and protest there for better conditions and programs for the people in Mexico??? How about that? How about working on getting THEIR government to do something for their people so they can have a better way of life in their country? And as far as "checking for papers," I get asked to PROVE who I am all the time, don't you? I have to show my ID at a lot of different places. What is the big deal unless you're here illegally? Where are we suppose to catch illegals (except workplace raids) if a Law enforcement officer can't ask? We don't make them show their status when registering their kids for school, or when they're at our hospitals, signing up of social services....good gosh it's ridiculous. I am behind the AZ Law 100% and hope that the Supreme Court will interpret it correctly, not as the last liberal goof-ball and that all the States WILL FOLLOW!

[exaag]

No one with a functioning intellect has even suggested that opposing illegal immigration is racist so that point is simply neo-McCarthism at its lowest. (In truth, supporters of illegal immigration simply do not believe that a recognized and enforceable international border exists between the US and Mexico, but they do believe that the combinatin of illegal Mexican trespassers and ACORN will help the election chances for the Obama regime and its supporters on the left). Opponents of the Arizona law are pathological liars, traitors or morons. As for me, my fammily is changing its vacation plans and going to Arizona. I leave next week.

[DavidB2009]

Jan Brewer never even went to college. She is a lab technician. She is also a hateful racist and in serious need of some botox!

[ScottD20012]

I live in Arizona and tourism is as brisk as ever, despite a very hot summer. Many Americans are aware of the the Mexican Alien invasion and crime spree but are willing to take a risk to come to our beautiful state.

[dadirt]

Political rethoric on the left. They are the ones calling for boycotts. Another stupid article by the media. AZ is paying the price for something the government is tasked to deal with, but it is too political for them and they are all about the votes!

[bigoldic]

Lets understand something off the bat, we wouldnt be talking about boarder security, or illegal immigration if the country wasnt the #1
consumer of Cocaine and methamphetamines. As long as you keep buying, they will continue drug running. Sober up and you'll see how quickly
crime will dwindle. Also understand that the guns used for their killing spree's arent bought in Mexican street corners but purchaced in the good ol'US or A, many of which in Arizona, and New Mexico. Would it surprise any of you to know that these two states rank at the top of firearm sales, right next to Texas??Focus on controling these plagues and you wont have to profile or put up fences. Otherwise sleep tight in that bed you made for yourselves.

[naturaltwo]

whosaid1 has some issues. Noone yelled racist. It is folks like whosaid1 that need thrown out of this country.

I am so sick and tired of idiots putting words in people's mouths, like whosaid1.

Why can't we just hang these ignorant bigots once and for all?

Get out of my country you ignorant bigots!

[whosaid1]

naturaltwo: Reading comprehension is not your strong suit....huh?

niteowl2010, wrote the following...."Remember people this was the ONLY state that did not want to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday, and they finally did but only after the government put the presurre on them"

No suggestion of racism ??

One other thing....you don't know me. But I'll bet you that I've done more to support "minorities" in this country in the last year than you have your complete life. I also have wonderful grandchildren, that have Hispanic names that will say you are full of it. Also, I too,... am "sick and tired" of you and "those like you" who see a racist around every corner...give it a break!!!

[tsigili]

Tourism in the north of the state is likely safe enough. Tourism along the border itself, could most definitely be risky. I would not be afraid to visit the state, but I would limit the areas I visited, and I would be wary of traveling after dark, in isolated areas.

That's no different than a lot of other places, of course, but you still have to be aware that you could encounter smugglers of drugs or people, from I-10 / I-8, south.

[aliba1]

With 100+ degree heat in the rest of the country, why would ANYONE want to go to Arizona in the summertime?

[whosaid1]

Is Political Rhetoric Hurting Ariz. Tourism? Is tourism down in Arizona ? Yeah....but, is it because of the "Rhetoric" or is it the economy? Before I would agree that the "Arizona Law/Political Rhetoric had anything to do with it, I'd have to see how the "other" states are doing. Anyone have that info close at hand??