Tourism as an Economic Development Tool (Socorro County)

Agent works with local fair board in marketing and setting up events for the Socorro County Fair. From the receipts of vendors, the fair has been able to estimate an increase in the number of people attending the event by 25% in two years. Booths for the fair have been filled to capacity for the past three years, and new spaces have been created charging all vendors for space bringing in a total of $4705 in profit to the fair association.

Agent continues to collaborate with the City of Socorro and the Socorro Chamber of Commerce to provide hospitality training. Agent has adapted the Spirit of New Mexico DVD and Hospitality training for a specific training in Socorro County. Two new workshops were held with 12 participants from local hotels and gas stations. Attendees of the program have all indicated on their evaluations that the program increased their knowledge of hospitality and location of tourist attractions. Also included in the survey was whether or not to have an advanced workshop in which every participant indicates a positive “YES”.

Agent has taken on the duty of President since the REDTT grant is no longer a part of the Tourism Council. Tourism Council has monthly meetings of 16-25 people from across the community attending to network and gain education such as setting up an event. The Tourism Council focuses on providing a 10-20 minute educational program on some aspect of tourism. Programs have consisted of 501 C3 for organizations, collaborating with other scheduled events for advertising, and Socorro County Fair event all delivered by the agent. Other community members have also provided educational topics such as, advertising for events and how to get lodgers tax money. All members have expressed the desire to keep the Socorro County Tourism Council going even without the programmatic support of REDTT. Two of the members have stated that the council and programming done at the meetings has been invaluable to the success of their events.

Socorro County Tourism Council worked with individuals to obtain an advertising grant worth $10,000 dollars. All adds were to be placed in surrounding communities to attract tourist for a day destination.

Agent collaborated with Socorro Chamber of Commerce to have quarterly hospitality trainings for hotel, gas stations and business employees. Forty-five people have attending the trainings, indicating that they gained information on Socorro County that they never knew existed. Most in attendance recognized the value of hospitality, and would work on providing better information to tourist.