REDTT Project Overview ~ Education ~ Communication ~ Collaboration

1. 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 www.redtt.org

2. 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. www.redtt.org

3. REDTT Counties New Mexico The Land of Enchantment www.redtt.org

4. 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. www.redtt.org

5. 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)

6. Women in Agriculture Education • 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).

7. Agri-tourism- Luna Rossa Winery Deming, New Mexico www.redtt.org

8. Agri-tourism- Luna Rossa Winery Deming, New Mexico

9. 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. www.redtt.org

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

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

12. What We Do 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. www.redtt.org

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

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

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

16. Project GoalsWhat We Do… 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) www.redtt.org

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

18. REDTT Counties www.redtt.org

19. Why We Promote Tourism…Tourism As Economic Development • 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 2020. • 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. www.redtt.org

20. 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. www.redtt.org

21. 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... www.redtt.org

22. Tourism’s Future Outlook

23. REDTT New Mexico The Land of Enchantment www.redtt.org FOR MORE INFORMATION...