With Southern Arizona’s economy forecasted for a strong and quick recovery post-pandemic, business leaders have created a plan to capitalize on that recovery.
Tourism taxing districts could be coming soon
Twin bills with bipartisan support to jumpstart Arizona tourism appear dead in the Senate, but they may reappear this year or next as the concept has gained support nationally and here.
SB1101 and HB2161 give cities and towns the power to create tourism marketing authorities, which can levy assessments on hotel rooms.
Although the House version passed the chamber on a 38-20 vote and the Senate version was approved in committee 7-1, neither has advanced since those respective votes. The 2020 versions of the bills also got bipartisan support, but Covid cut the session short, leaving them to die along with hundreds of other bills.
More than 20 gem show events will be postponed by 10 weeks in the hopes that the pandemic will be better under control by then.
Lowell Carhart, of the 22nd Street show, advised the mayor and City Council that the events will move from Jan. 30 through Feb. 14 to April 7 through 25.
âEven though most shows have received their event waivers, it is the case that Americaâs/Arizonaâs increasing infection and hospitalization rates now make the original dates untenable,â he said in a note to vendors. âFor that reason, we anticipate that Pima County will rescind all the waivers in the coming days.â