New Mexico Gets $7.9 Million Grant to Step Up Tourism Recovery

The state of New Mexico will be receiving a $7,939,998 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to accelerate travel and tourism recovery, the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) announced Saturday.

New Mexico is one of 34 states to receive an American Rescue Plan State Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Grant from the EDA. Investment through this grant will support marketing, infrastructure, workforce and other revitalization projects for New Mexico’s hard-hit tourism industry.

While workforce shortages remain an issue for some businesses, employment metrics signal continued restoration of New Mexico’s tourism workforce. New Mexico’s change in leisure and hospitality employment for September 2021 compared to September 2019 was down to -8.2 percent, which is the closest the gap in employment has come to pre-pandemic levels.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the leisure and hospitality sector was the second-fastest growing industry in New Mexico from 2009-2019. Overall, NMTD estimates a $4.1 billion loss in visitor spending for New Mexico due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMTD is requesting a $53.9 million budget for FY23 to expand proven programs and drive demand through year-round advertising so New Mexico can remain competitive with other statewide destinations. In addition, NMTD is also requesting a $15 million supplemental appropriation for FY22 to bolster seasonal marketing campaigns and aid NMTD efforts to match funds for additional grant opportunities.

Source: Los Alamos Daily Post