New Mexico Works To Attract More Tourists

Ever consider taking a vacation in New Mexico recently?

For some, the Land of Enchantment isn’t a first resort, but state tourism officials want to change that.

During a conference on Thursday, Secretary of Tourism Monique Jacobson said the state is working on an advertising and marketing campaign aimed to increase tourism.

Jacobson says the state wants to erase what she calls “surprisingly strong misconceptions” of New Mexico.

Borderland residents are a little more familiar about the closest tourist attractions in New Mexico, but tourism officials want the entire nation to discover the adventures in culture and art across the state.

New Mexico ranks 36th among the 50 states in when it comes to tourism.

Tourism spending dropped half a million dollars from 2008 to 2009 from $6 million to $5.5 million.

The revamped ad campaign is still in the works, it is set to launch in April of 2012.