Industry Insider

News

Celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day

Visit Albuquerque and some of our hotel and meeting partners celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day on April 7. The day was an opportunity to highlight the impact that conventions and meetings have on Albuquerque. Twenty-one meetings and events brought in more than $7 million in direct spending to the city in February 2022 alone. Nationally, professional meetings and events made up 42% of all business travel spending. Although the industry is still recovering from the pandemic, the number of meetings were up 108% in 2021 from their 2020 low, and 2022 is expected to be even stronger. Watch our GMID video here or read about the power of meetings.

Visit Albuquerque Heads to Travel and Adventure Shows

Partnering with other destinations throughout New Mexico, Visit Albuquerque attended the Travel & Adventure Show in Los Angeles and Dallas, and will attend the Denver show at the end of the month. The consumer-facing trade shows offer attendees the opportunity to discover hundreds of destinations from around the globe, and our presence there ensures that Albuquerque is on travelers’ lists of must-see places. Visit ABQ’s representatives at each show are introducing our city to tens of thousands of motivated travelers. 

Visit Albuquerque Sales Team Attends Destination Showcase Tradeshow

Visit Albuquerque’s former Vice President of Sales, Services & Sports Kristin McGrath and Associate Director of Sales Larry Atchison attended the Destination Showcase Washington D.C. Tradeshow in National Harbor, Md., on March 25. The event provided opportunities to connect with other destination organizations and to introduce meeting planners to Albuquerque. In mid-April, Kristin left her position at Visit Albuquerque to become the executive director of the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kristin is a respected leader in the industry, and we wish her all the best in her new position. She built a strong sales team during her five-year tenure with Visit Albuquerque, and the team will continue to represent Albuquerque well while we conduct a national search for a new Vice President of Sales, Services & Sports.

Mask Requirements Dropped on Transportation

A federal judge in Florida overturned a federal mask mandate for planes, trains and other transportation. The ruling prompted many airlines to issue new guidance, allowing passengers to choose whether or not to continue wearing a face covering. Amtrak also said face coverings will be optional aboard trains. The Albuquerque Sunport says masks are optional for passengers, employees and visitors. The CDC’s mask mandate was first put into place in February 2021, and was most recently extended until May 3.

State Tourism Department Offers Digital Help for Independent Hotels

Nearly 90% of travelers will research a hotel online prior to booking a room, but many independent hotels, motels and B&Bs do not have robust digital marketing strategies. In response, the New Mexico Tourism Department is providing independent properties with free training to improve their digital performance in order to promote business and increase occupancy. Participants in the department’s Digital Optimization Program will learn how to improve their marketing efforts and revenue management. NMTD is providing technical support, including one-on-one coaching, self-paced trainings and live webinars. To learn more about the complimentary program and to sign up to participate, visit the NMTD’s website.

Hyatt Regency Albuquerque Rebrands As The Clyde Hotel

The Hyatt Regency Albuquerque has been rebranded as The Clyde Hotel under the hotel group Heritage Hotels & Resorts. The name pays homage to Clyde Tingley, the 11th governor of New Mexico and a driving force in Albuquerque’s growth in the 1920s and 1930s. A two-year renovation is underway to refurbish the hotel’s lobby and ground floor spaces with Pueblo Deco themes. The 382-room hotel will remain open during that time.

Rail Runner Fares Reduced by 75%

Fares for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express are reduced 75% from now until at least July 31 to encourage ridership during a time of higher gas prices. The state and train operators partnered to cover the fare reduction. According to Terry Doyle, the director of the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, daily Rail Runner ridership is at about 60% of pre-pandemic ridership levels. He hopes the reduced prices will attract new local commuters as well as provide visitors with a convenient way to travel between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

ABQ Sunport Partners with New Mexico United

The Albuquerque International Sunport is now the official travel partner of New Mexico United. There is a special United display at the Sunport featuring United video, messages, projections and more for travelers to enjoy. The Sunport will also support New Mexico United with ticket giveaways and social media collaborations. The partnership will run through at least the end of the year.

Vote for Routes Bicycling Tours & Rentals In USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 10Best Awards

Vote for Visit Albuquerque Partner Routes Bicycling Tours & Rentals, which is nominated for the best cycling tour in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. You can vote every day until May 9 on 10best.com. We also encourage you to promote the survey link on social media or anywhere else you see fit!

Vote for Hotel Chaco, TEN 3 in TravelAwaits’ 2022 Best of Travel Awards

Vote for Visit Albuquerque partners Hotel Chaco and TEN 3, which were nominated for TravelAwaits’  2022 Best of Travel Awards. Hotel Chaco is up for favorite luxury hotel while TEN 3 was nominated for restaurant with the best view. Albuquerque made the final list of nominees for the most pet-friendly U.S. city. You can vote once a day until May 1 on TravelAwaits' website. Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. was also nominated for favorite craft brewery. Please share the voting link to encourage others to vote!

Promote Your Balloon Fiesta Specials & Packages with Us 

This year will bring the 50th Balloon Fiesta, and we are eager to start promotions for this landmark event right away. We want to include you in these Balloon Fiesta promotional efforts. If you are offering a Balloon Fiesta/Fall package, deal, special, tour, event or any other promotions, we want to know about it and share it! Packages and deals created around an event or a season are a great way to encourage visitors to your business. And Balloon Fiesta and the surrounding fall events create a great opportunity to do just that.

We encourage you to start thinking about 50th Balloon Fiesta offerings now. Get creative and think outside the box! Aside from coupons, some promotional ideas might include:

• A special Balloon Fiesta cocktail or menu item
• A tasting or featured menu 
• A weeknight event at your restaurant or attraction
• A dedicated tour
• Expanded service hours 

Submit a package or a coupon to have your offer promoted on our webpage, which is highly ranked on search engines and receives an average of 140,000 unique visitors per month.

If you have an offering or special that is not a coupon or deal, email us at Marketing@VisitABQ.org.  

Discovery Map of Albuquerque 

Partnering with Visit Albuquerque to provide the Official Map of Albuquerque since 2016

Put your business on the map!

• Visit Albuquerque Partners get 10% off!
• Monthly payment option available.
• 300,000 printed maps distributed at over 350 locations year-round, including Visit Albuquerque offices, welcome centers, Albuquerque International Sunport, car rental offices, hotels, motels, and RV parks.
• 25,000+ digital viewers driving traffic to your website.
• Full-color ad design free of charge.

Reserve your space now! Call 505-750-0076 or email jeffstevens@discoverymap.com

Unbelievable Pass

Calling local breweries, entertainment and restaurant businesses to participate in a digital passport program developed to help local businesses with no cost to participate. The Unbelievable Pass will be the premier deals pass for Albuquerque and the perfect cure for cabin fever.

Email support@unbelievablepass.com for more information.
 

Beer Week

Enjoy a barley-filled 11-day celebration May 26 through June 5. There is something for everyone: local craft beer tastings, exciting tours, incredible food events and some of the best local music. For more information, visit Abqbeerweek.com.

Blues and Brews

Don’t miss New Mexico’s favorite beer fest with fantastic blues and the tastiest brews. There will be dozens of breweries, ciders, seltzers and spirits, unlimited sampling, games, 4 stages and 6 great blues bands. For more information, visit Abqbluesandbrews.com.