New Mexico launches ecotourism program

New Mexico Tourism Department is set to launch a new ecotourism program that will change the way that travellers experience that state.  The new program will offer low-impact, high-yield accommodations, located in pristine remote areas of the state, including eco lodges and wilderness camps.

Ecotourism is a nature-based form of speciality travel, defined as “responsible travel” to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local community.  It offers an authentic and engaging experience to travellers who want an off-the-beaten track adventure that connects them with natural beauty and indigenous traditions.

It is sensitive to the environment, allowing unique access while treading lightly on the land.  For the local communities, it provides a rewarding and sustainable business model and enterprise.

These authentic New Mexican experiences will create transformative journeys that will change the way that travellers and residents experience New Mexico’s vibrant natural landscapes, cultural heritage and bio-diversity.

Why choose Ecotourism?

“Eco-tourists spend more money, stay longer, and have a desire for authentic, hands-on experiences in places where their time and money will benefit the local communities,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department.

“Ecotourism promotes and preserves nature-based travel experiences, outdoor adventure, and cultural heritage. If you combine that with the fact that no other state in the US has developed a corner-to-corner initiative for Ecotourism, it means New Mexico is poised to become one of the world’s best Ecotourism destinations.”

In an effort to allow New Mexico the opportunity to capitalise on a golden opportunity to reach this growing market the Tourism Department now launches the Ecotourism Program to travelers in the UK and around the globe.

Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Jennifer Hobson is spear-heading the project “Ecotourism has the potential to make New Mexico an even more enthralling destination for travelers from around the world,” Dep. Sec. Hobson said “We welcome EcoNewMexico to our team as we will build on the equity and add further dimension to our ‘Land of Enchantment’ marketing initiatives. We believe EcoNewMexico will help us create vibrant partnerships that will result in new and sustainable business and economic opportunities to communities throughout our state.”

“EcoNewMexico is honored to partner with the Tourism Department in creating a vision for the State of New Mexico through the Ecotourism Program Initiative,” said Charles “Chip” Cunningham, Managing Director of EcoNewMexico, LLC. “Our aim is to fulfill our shared vision of making New Mexico the premier role model and destination for Ecotourism and conservation in the United States. We’ll get there by defining and identifying what a world-class Ecotourism experience can be, and work with the state to ensure that the beneficiaries are not only those who come to experience New Mexico’s enchantment, but the local communities and wilderness places that are at the heart of these experiences.”

Chip and Sandy Cunningham have developed and grown one of the world’s premier Safari & Travel companies, Uncharted Outposts – www.unchartedoutposts.com – into an industry leader. Uncharted Outposts now manages a portfolio of eco and community-driven projects and tourism destinations worldwide. These activities have a focus that remains simple and effective – support community-partnered projects and eco-camps that are committed to conservation.

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For more information on New Mexico visit www.newmexico.org

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Casey Hurford
McCluskey International
Tel: 020 8237 7979
Fax: 020 8237 7999
Email: NewMexico@mccluskey.co.uk