Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Two prominent tourism groups are planning a New Mexico Safe certification program in an effort to bring visitors back to the Land of Enchantment during the COVID-19 era.
The New Mexico Tourism Department and the New Mexico Hospitality Association are collaborating on the program for businesses that likely will launch June 15. The program was revealed during a “Reopening the Tourism Economy” webinar Thursday hosted by New Mexico Tourism Secretary Jen Schroer.
New Mexico contains a lot of outdoor activities and open space, which would make it attractive to many travelers and safer from COVID-19, she said.
Citing a recent survey by Destination Analysts, more than half of prospective travelers want to avoid crowds, would practice social distancing and would carry their own personal protective equipment against the coronavirus.
The free New Mexico Safe program aims to inspire to come to the state on their vacations to the “safest destination in the Southwest.”
The program will include marketing, incentives and a PPE procurement collective exclusive to New Mexico Safe-certified businesses so they can get the equipment at affordable rates. Businesses also would be encouraged to be committed to COVID-safe practices and undertake training modules for them. The New Mexico Society of Association Executives would administer New Mexico Safe.
The two groups want to find marketing alternatives because travel across the nation is beginning to recover, but well below pre-coronavirus levels. Americans also said in a Longwoods International survey they remain split on reopening the economy because of the virus.
Another recent survey said a sizable proportion of hotel guests want a perception of safety there, including denial of entry to guests with a fever, assurances that employees are tested for COVID-19 and requiring customers to wear masks.
Schroer also said during the webinar that mass gatherings such as festivals, fairs, sports events and even weddings may not happen until a vaccine is developed, which could take as long as a year.