Marriott International, Bethesda, Maryland, sent a letter to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer asking her to veto a bill that passed the Arizona State Legislature on Monday allowing business owners to refuse service based on religious beliefs, such as for example refusing to serve gay people due to Christian beliefs.
The letter, signed by Marriott’s International’s Steve Hart, area vice president, Arizona, and Thomas Maloney, director, government affairs, highlighted the business impact that the bill could have it if it is signed into law.
“This legislation has the potential to subject our state to travel boycotts by both individual leisure travelers and groups looking to hold meetings here. Conference business from corporations and associations, in particular, will relocate to other states. It is exceedingly difficult for us to sell Arizona as a destination against a backdrop of negative attention suggesting certain travelers or conference attendees would not be welcome here,” the letter stated.
Click here to read a copy of the letter