Protesters help boost hotel occupancy in Phoenix

The days leading up to Senate Bill 1070 were good for the hotel industry.

Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association spokeswoman Kristin Jarnagin says most downtown Phoenix hotels and a lot of other nearby hotels were filled with media, protesters and supporters.

Jarnagin says 2009 was the worst year on record with the hotel and convention industry losing 30,000 tourism jobs.

Jarnagin says boycotts cost the state at least $15 million and 40 conventions.

She fears those numbers will get worse given that conventions are booked years in advance and those groups may go elsewhere.