Since the last recession, tourism organizations and destinations have been talking about the value of instate tourism. And why not? It makes sense.
The best customers are your existing customers or are those who already believe in the product. Living in New Mexico means we like it here. Frederick Weller (who played the character Marshall Mann on the USA Network program In Plain Sight, filmed in Albuquerque) told the ABQ Journal that Albuquerque is “like a little decoder ring or spy ring of funkiness. Once you decode it, there’s a lot offered.”
As a part of the 2012 Garrity Perception Survey we “decoded” the perceptions of New Mexico residents about events, festivals, SpacePort America and where they like traveling in New Mexico.
The results will be introduced first to the New Mexico Tourism Commission as a part of its meeting on May 14th in Taos. Additional, new information, will be presented to the Governors Conference on Tourism as a part of a luncheon presentation later in the week.
When preliminary information was presented to representatives from the State Department of Tourism and Spaceport America it was nice to see that some of the data surprised them. Be sure to keep an eye on our newsletter to see how you can get a copy of our findings.
But research is just that, research. What is important is what you do with the information. We are in the process of developing outreach programs that cater to the income levels and geographic areas of New Mexico residents planning to take more than three leisure trips over the next twelve months.
Finally, on the event and festival front, we were really surprised to see how one “staple” New Mexico event is perceived by New Mexico residents. Stay turned. Information is fast approaching… just in time for the summer travel season!