Lodging in a Nutshell |
by Ron Callari, Contributing Writer |
 Tucson, Arizona or “Old Pueblo” (as it was originally known) is a thriving southwestern desert community where over 440,000 people reside. By the year 2010, the county population is forecasted to reach one million residents. Two contributing factors influencing this growth are the University of Arizona and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Tourism is also a major contributor to Tucson's prominence, with 10 percent of all jobs dedicated to the Tucson tourism industry. The nationally recognized attractions and spa resorts in the Tucson area attract national and international visitors, as well as world class events that generate approximately $1.8 billion annually.
Steeped in heritage, Tucson is the oldest continually settled town in the country, and it is a perennial melting pot of Spanish, Native American, Mexican, and contemporary American cultures. Approximately 60 miles from the border of Mexico, and with a good number of ghost towns situated in between, Tucson has a somewhat eccentric flair distinguishing it from the more formal atmosphere of Phoenix, the state capital.
With the past ever present, the Old West is alive and well at such establishments as the San Xavier del Bac Mission to the south, and the Presidio Wall excavation adjacent to City Hall, originally built in 1775. In 1984, Tucson was acquired by the United States with the Gadsden Purchase, serving as the capitol of the Arizona Territory for about 10 years.
Technology also adds to the economy of Tucson. Business travelers come to Tucson to conduct business with companies affiliated with Aerospace, Bio-Industry, Environmental Technology, Information Technology, Optics, and/or Teleservices.
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