REDTT Project Overview ~ Education ~ Communication ~ Collaboration Rural Economic Development Through Tourism (REDTT) New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service Dora Dominguez, Project Director Sylvia D’Andrea, Luna Rossa Winery Deming, New Mexico

Who We Are REDTT is an economic development project, designed to boost tourism development in rural New Mexico. Administered through New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service REDTT’s service area includes 17 counties, which encompass a total of 47 villages, towns and cities, 10 Native American pueblos and two Native American Tribes.

REDTT Counties New Mexico The Land of Enchantment

Agricultural Tourism Agtourism or Agri-Tourism For centuries Agtourism has existed as: Roadside farmer's markets U-pick operations State fairs and festivals Growing food and animals has always been a source of entertainment in rural America. Agtourism is about getting out, seeing and celebrating where your food comes from.

Women In Agriculture A woman stands near her home and looks out at her garden of corn, squash and beans. She reminds herself to check the corn to see if it's ready for harvest and to look for damage caused by wildlife. Later in the evening, she will prepare a meal for her family with vegetables from her garden. ( Bat Cave Woman)

For the Fall 2003 semester 1,045 of the 1,703 students enrolled were women. Sixty-two percent or 175 of the 282 students in the animal and range sciences department are women. These numbers follow a decade long trend for the college in which female enrolment has climbed from 52 present in 1993 to 51 percent (2003). Women in Agriculture Education

Agri-tourism- Luna Rossa Winery Deming, New Mexico

Agri-tourism- Luna Rossa Winery Deming, New Mexico

Agri-Tourism The demographics of tourists in America are changing. Visitors to New Mexico have long followed the call of outdoor recreational activities. While the same continues to exist, shifting economics and the knowledge- based traveler embarks upon their travels armed with a thirst for history, culture and agriculturally- based activities.

Project Goal We do this through: EDUCATION COMMUNICATION COLLABORATION To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities.

What We Do EDUCATION –Tourism Project Development Events & Festivals FAM Tours County Tourism Councils –Training Workshops Hospitality and Customer Service E-Commerce Volunteer Management –Annual Rural Tourism Conference Project Goal: To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities.

EDUCATION –Annual Rural Tourism Conference The 2005 Annual Conference was hosted in Deming, New Mexico. The event titled, “Making Tracks Along the Border” attracted more than 180 tourism professionals and volunteers from throughout New Mexico. What We Do Project Goal: To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities.

What We Do Project Goal: To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities. EDUCATION

COMMUNICATION - Media Coverage Web site - News Releases Trails & Treasures Magazine Writer Familiarization Tours Event Calendars What We Do Project Goal: To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities.

What We Do Project Goal: To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities.

To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development Collaboration Partners County Tourism Councils Project Cost Share Requirements New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension State Dept. of Tourism Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Project Goals What We Do…

Project Goal: To educate, train, spread information and assist in tourism development of New Mexico’s rural communities. What We Do COLLABORATION

REDTT Counties

Tourism is a large multinational activity. According to the World Tourism Organization travelers will embark upon 1.6 billion trips, with a value of over $2 trillion annually by the year To date, this multidimensional activity is estimated to account for 12% of all global economic activity. In the U.S. the tourism industry is a half-trillion dollars-a-year industry and is the nation’s second largest employer with over 15.5 million people. Why We Promote Tourism… Tourism As Economic Development

Visitors – 10 million, 25-percent increase in leisure travel driven by a 17.8 percent increase Opportunity – Outdoor recreation and leisure travel by visitors living within 800 miles of NM. Mexican visitor drive market. Media Exposure – In 2003 more than 9,000 articles were written worldwide about New Mexico with a combined circulation of reaching in excess of a half-billion households. NM State Tourism saw a $1.5 million budget increase in 2003 and $1.3 more for Fiscal year Increases identified as resources to be used to benefit troubled areas troubled by a dry summer New Mexico Tourism is a $4 billion-a-year industry Why We Promote Tourism… Tourism As Economic Development

In the thirteen years since its inception, the REDTT project has increased the number of New Mexico counties it serves from its three original partner counties to currently serving 17 counties This year, REDTT awarded $51,000 to support tourism projects in 17 New Mexico counties. Since the project began in 1992, REDTT has awarded $375,274 in grant funds to its member counties REDTT continues its mission to provide technical assistance through a team approach to rural tourism professionals and volunteers. Why We Promote Tourism… Tourism As Economic Development

REDTT Future Outlook Statewide hospitality & customer service training implemented Bureau Of Land Management Strategic Plan Completion Creation of E-Commerce Specialist Expansion of project as state-wide initiative supported through NMSU Cooperative Extension Service FOR MORE INFORMATION...

Tourism’s Future Outlook

REDTT New Mexico The Land of Enchantment FOR MORE INFORMATION...