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Arizona Tourism Industry Braces For Another Hit After Pac-12 Games Are Postponed

As Pac-12 fall and winter sports competitions are postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021, Arizona’s tourism industry is bracing for yet another economic hit.

Kim Sabow, CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, said the price of not having college football alone is heavy.

“The Fiesta Bowl annually attracts 60,000 visitors with an economic impact of nearly $200 million. So just based on those numbers you can see it will have a major impact on Arizona," Sabow said. 

Sabow said sports tourism in general is an important economic contributor to an economy already hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic — especially for hotels.

High school football is targeted to begin Sept. 30, according to Seth Polansky, sports information coordinator with the Arizona Interscholastic Association. He said the first varsity high school football games are, “set to go Oct. 2.”

However, the economic impact of those travelling to communities to watch games is unknown when it comes to the tourism industry.

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Tom Maxedon was the host of KJZZ’s Weekend Edition from 2017 to 2024.