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Industry Insider
February 2021
HELLO, VISIT ALBUQUERQUE PARTNERS,
The winter season has brought positive momentum for new projects and initiatives. This issue of Industry Insider covers updates about our virtual site visits, Albuquerque’s rankings in the media and the proposed $25 million and $45 million special appropriations for tourism recovery.
Our positive momentum continued to gain speed this month as Bernalillo County moved into the Yellow tier of New Mexico’s Red-to-Green reopening framework and the state rescinded mandatory quarantine requirements for visitors. Read more about our progress below.
Winter also brings Black History Month. Each February, we recognize the contributions and celebrate the vitality that the Black community brings to our city year-round. Albuquerque has a rich African American culture and history to explore and share.
Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner.
Tania Armenta
President & CEO
Visit Albuquerque
Bernalillo County Moves to Yellow Reopening Status; Quarantine Rescinded
On Feb. 10, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that 15 New Mexico counties had reached Yellow status under the state’s Red-to-Green reopening framework, and another four had reached Green status. For Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, Santa Fe and other counties that are now in the Yellow tier, the progress means:
- Indoor dining is allowed at food and drink establishments at 25% of maximum occupancy if the establishment is New Mexico Safe Certified, and outdoor dining is allowed at 75% of maximum occupancy.
- Places of lodging that are New Mexico Safe Certified are allowed to operate at 60% maximum occupancy, up from 40% occupancy under the Red level. Places of lodging that are not New Mexico Safe Certified must remain at 25% of maximum occupancy.
- The mass gathering limit increases to 10 people or 80 vehicles, up from 5 people or 40 vehicles.
Also effective Feb. 10, the Governor officially rescinded the mandatory requirement for visitors to self-quarantine upon their arrival in or return to New Mexico. Instead, visitors are “strongly advised” to self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain a COVID-19 test upon their arrival in the state.
Visit Albuquerque welcomes these steps, which begin to provide relief to the hospitality industry. However, we also are hopeful for the opportunity to revisit gating criteria toward reopening and look beyond the Green tier of the Red-to-Green framework. Not all gatherings offer the same risk, nor does all travel. The hospitality industry is committed to welcoming visitors and serving residents safely and responsibly, and we look forward to continued progress toward full reopening.
Visit Albuquerque Endorses $70 Million Investment in Tourism Recovery
Visit Albuquerque supports two proposals being considered in the State Legislature to reinvigorate the tourism and hospitality industry. Both proposals would accelerate the industry’s recovery from the effects of the pandemic by making strategic investments.
- The Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendation includes a proposed $25 million special appropriation for tourism recovery. During a presentation to the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 4, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Jen Paul Schroer provided details on how the Tourism Department plans to use the special appropriation and more data that further documents the pandemic’s economic injury to New Mexico’s tourism industry. Read more about the presentation here.
- The second proposal, House Bill 267, requests a total of $45 million to support the leisure and hospitality industry. The bill includes $30 million to develop a job training and career advancement program for the industry; $8 million to fund an event revitalization program designed to promote uniquely New Mexican events; and $7 million to increase business retention and support business expansion. On Feb. 13, the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) presented H.B. 267 to the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee. The committee unanimously voted to support the bill.
Visit Albuquerque encourages our Partners to contact lawmakers in support of both of these key investments to restart the state’s tourism economy. Learn more here.
Small Business Administration Launches Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loans Advance Program
On Feb. 1, the Small Business Administration (SBA) began reaching out to businesses to apply for its Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program. To qualify, small businesses must be located in federally designated low-income communities, must have seen a 30% reduction in revenue over an eight-week period beginning March 2, 2020, or later, must employ 300 or fewer people and must have already applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan before Dec. 27. The new advance will go toward eligible businesses that either didn't receive the full $10,000 advance last year, or didn't receive a grant at all due to a lack of funds. No action is required. Applicants will be contacted directly by SBA via email in the coming weeks with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation. Learn more here.
Visit Albuquerque Creatively Hosts Virtual Site Tours
The Visit Albuquerque sales team continues to creatively host clients within current public health order constraints. In January, Senior National Sales Manager Misty Jester conducted a virtual planning site visit with the board of the Society for Range Management. The group selected Albuquerque for their February 2022 event, but needed to conduct a planning meeting to view the space and ask key questions of the local partners. A successful virtual site visit of the Albuquerque Convention Center, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque and DoubleTree by Hilton Albuquerque for all 16 board members successfully took place earlier this month.
Albuquerque Named Best Place to Live and Work for Film Industry and a Top 10 Remote-Ready City
Albuquerque ranked No. 1 on MovieMaker Magazine’s Best Place to Live and Work as a Movie Maker, 2021 list. This is the third straight year the city has received this ranking. Winners were determined using surveys, research on tax incentives and recent productions, personal visits to most of the locations on the list and the best available information on how cities are coping with the pandemic.
Albuquerque also ranked No. 8 on Livability’s 2021 Top 10 Remote-Ready Cities in the US list. The list was curated using combined metrics from Livability and Fourth Economy’s Community Index and includes factors such as broadband access, local jobs that can be done from home, affordability, a robust regional economy and quality of life.
Vote Now for Your Chance to Win!
By sharing your Albuquerque travel experience as part of the Travel + Leisure 2021 World’s Best Awards, you will be entered into a giveaway for a chance to win a dream trip for two worth $10,000! It’s simple to participate in the survey and enter the contest:
- Create a new account for the 2021 survey and answer a few questions about yourself.
- To share your favorite ABQ travel experience, when asked about your travels over the past three years, select United States as the Region, New Mexico as the State, and then choose Cities as the Category.
- From there you will be able to select Albuquerque and comment on attributes such as food, culture and friendliness.
- Hotel Chaco and Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa are also finalists within the Hotels category, and you can share your experiences at these properties by choosing “Hotels” in the Category selection.
- Be sure to vote by Monday, May 10, for your chance to win, and please share the survey link with your colleagues, friends and family!
ABQ in the News
Local
National
- 7 Hotels That Will Restore You After a Long Year - Food & Wine Magazine
- Embrace the Colors of New Mexico - The Group Travel Leader
- 10 Elevated High Tea Experiences That Would Make Marie Antoinette Jealous - Parade
- 5 Things to Do - AAA Explorer New Mexico
Local Restaurants Raise Over $15,000 for Officer Jarrott Fund
Pizza 9, Chello Grill and Revel Burger helped raise over $15,000 for the Officer Jarrott Fund, created to assist the family of slain State Police Officer Darian Jarrott. The restaurants donated 100% of the profits made at local restaurants during a fundraiser held on Feb. 11. Profits from digital gift card sales from Feb. 11-14 have also been donated.
Electric Playhouse Awarded Commercial Real Estate Development Association Award
Electric Playhouse was recently awarded the NAIOP of New Mexico Award. Awards are presented to projects representing the area's best new, repositioned and renovated commercial spaces. Electric Playhouse has been recognized with an Eagle Award for Tenant Improvement in the retail category.
Los Poblanos Bar Campo Named Best Cocktail Program
Bar Campo was named “Best Cocktail Program” as part of Edible New Mexico’s Local Hero Awards. Read the interview with Dylan Storment, Director of Wine & Spirits, and Wine & Spirits Staff here.
Sadies of New Mexico Wins Multiple Awards at 2021 Scovie Awards
Sadies of New Mexico won multiple awards at the 2021 Scovie Awards. Awards include first place in the fresh salsa category, second place in the hot salsa category and third place in the mild salsa, green chile, snack chips and unique salsa categories.
Congratulations to Partners Who Have Completed the NM Safe Certified Program
More than 100 Visit Albuquerque Partners have earned certification through the NM Safe Certified program, which verifies that their management team has been trained in COVID-Safe Practices. Check out all the businesses statewide that have earned the certification so far at nmsafecertified.org, and click here to start earning your certification today.
Unbelievable Pass
Calling local brewery, 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.
Advertise in the Official Albuquerque Visitors Guide
The Official Albuquerque Visitors Guide is designed to inspire people who are planning to visit our beautiful city as well as those who have already made the trip and are looking for ideas about where to eat, shop and spend their time while they are here. The new edition of the guide, which will be distributed in September 2021, will focus on what travelers desire now: outdoor recreation, a city-wide commitment to welcoming guests safely and responsibly, and the opportunity to visit an exciting destination that offers distinctive art, culture, cuisine and history.
The guides are distributed through mail to those who request a copy, as well as to leisure and business travelers, meeting planners, members of the media and event attendees. It will also be available at Visitor Information Centers throughout the state and in Amarillo, Texas, as well as the Albuquerque Sunport, museums, restaurants, lodging establishments and citywide attractions. An interactive, digital version of the guide will also be available on the Visit Albuquerque website.
Being included in the Visitors Guide increases your exposure to the millions of visitors who travel to Albuquerque annually. Make sure visitors to our city know about your business! If you are interested in advertising in this publication, contact Mary Brown, 505-222-4310 or brown@visitabq.org.
A recent survey conducted by Destination Analysts confirmed that:
- Almost 89% of potential visitors who received an Official Albuquerque Visitors Guide said it helped them make the decision to travel to Albuquerque!
- Nearly 67% said that they increased their stay 1.3 days after receiving the Visitors Guide!
Official Visitors Guide Brochure
Official Visitors Guide Rate Card
Update Your Business Listing with Reopening Information
One of your key benefits as a Partner of Visit Albuquerque is your business listing on our website. Travelers and residents alike count on our website for information about where to eat, shop, play and stay in Albuquerque.
As businesses begin to reopen, many of you are making changes to your business hours, operations, products, services and amenities. Make sure your customers, clients and guests know about these changes by updating your business listing on VisitABQ.org. It only takes three easy steps!
Use the link below to submit your updates.
- You'll receive a verification email with a link to complete the form.
- Complete the relevant fields to reflect your current business operations.
- By providing this information, you’ll help ensure that your business shows up in search results when people are looking for specific types of amenities. You can continue to use this same form to provide updates as your business operations change over time.
If you have any questions, please contact us at listings@visitabq.org.
Attention Hotels: Update Your Property’s TripAdvisor Listing with your Current Opening Information
A new filter allows TripAdvisor users to sort lodging properties in order to view only those that are taking additional safety precautions related to COVID-19. This means it is important for your property to update its TripAdvisor listing as soon as possible. Access the safety checklist in your TripAdvisor Management Center and select which safety measures you have in place, such as mandatory face masks, additional sanitation procedures and social distancing policies. You also can submit a text description of the steps you are taking to protect customers.
www.tripadvisor.com/TripAdvisorInsights/w6853
Send Us Your COVID-Safe Images
We’re looking for images of COVID-safe practices in Albuquerque. Help us promote your business and Albuquerque in this new era by uploading your images of employees and customers wearing masks, socially distancing and participating in other COVID-safe practices. We might use your photo on social media, on our website or in other marketing materials to promote our city and our Partners. It’s easy to share your image; just click this link and drag and drop your images in our public uploader.
Click here to upload your image(s) now.
Submit Your Virtual and COVID-Safe Events to the ABQ365 Events Calendar
Visit Albuquerque’s ABQ365 Events Calendar offers a great opportunity to promote your virtual and COVID-safe events! The one-stop, all-ABQ encompassing calendar features primarily arts, entertainment and culture-focused events, appealing to both locals and visitors.
Virtual event listings offer a great opportunity for additional exposure and promotion, and can help keep your business top-of-mind – for free!
Click here to get started, and be sure to select the virtual events tag on the submission form.
Submit Your Current Coupons
Coupons can be a great way to drive traffic to your business. If you have a current coupon or special running, please submit it to us so we can list it on our Specials & Coupons page.
Click here to submit your current coupons and specials.
Tell Us What’s New
We know things are different right now. We want to help you share your new initiatives. If you are offering a new type of service or concept, a new product, or have anything else exciting or new going on, we want to hear about it! Send anything and everything to Media@VisitABQ.org.
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