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Learn More About the REDTT Project

The Rural Economic Development Through Tourism (REDTT - pronounced "red it") project began in 1992, by Congressman Joe Skeen, of the 2nd Congressional District. He saw the need to help the rural communities in New Mexico create economic development. Because of the beauty and historical significance in these communities, he designed the REDTT project to boost tourism development in five New Mexico counties. Today, the REDTT service area includes 17 counties which encompasses a total of 47 villages, towns and cities, 10 Native American pueblos and two Native American tribes.

Administered through New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) Cooperative Extension Service (CES), the project’s success is a result of support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 17 CES professionals, U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce and the New Mexico U.S. Congressional Delegation.

REDTT is staffed by a team of professionals, and enjoys a working partnership between NMSU’s CES, REDTT county tourism councils, and county extension agents. These partnerships provide the foundation of REDTT work.

REDTT works with volunteers to educate, train and assist communities on initiatives designed to create tourism growth. REDTT’s mini-grant funding supports tourism projects from event/festival signage to entertainment honorariums. Mini-grant funding is also utilized to fund familiarization tours for tourism related professionals interested in learning and writing about rural New Mexico tourism attractions.

REDTT remains committed to supporting rural tourism in a capacity that ensures a better understanding of rural tourism assets in New Mexico.

REDTT is a project of New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service, an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator.

Project Objectives

* To develop training and educational materials that help foster tourism development. We do this by providing Hospitality/Customer Service Training statewide, teaching the local community to become ambassadors for their communities. For more detailed information on the "Catch our Enchanted Spirit!" hospitality training program click here! We also provide training and networking opportunities to tourism professionals and volunteers at our Annual Rural Tourism Conference, held in late April each year. This two day event includes: FAM tours of the area in which the meeting is being held; workshops on tourism issues including tracks in technology, business, arts, historical preservation and more; keynote speakers; banquets; and fun. Click here for more conference information.

* To keep people informed of current tourism events happening in the state of New Mexico and places to visit and things to do. We do this through our Trails & Treasures magazine, an informational publication about New Mexico and what it offers to our visitors; our online Annual Events Calendar; and the rest of this tourism Web site.

* To provide assistance with festival development, enhancement and evaluation.

* To enhance opportunities for New Mexico agricultural products and processes to be incorporated into "Agri-tourism" activities such as tours, events and festivals.

* To educate the public about the advantages of tourism through press releases, news stories, psa's and other programs and publications.

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About the REDTT Project /
Trails & Treasures Magazine / Rural Tourism Conference / Education and Training / Mini-grant Program /
New Mexico Chambers of Commerce / New Mexico Visitors Information Centers / New Mexico Government / REDTT Event Pictures /
Other Related New Mexico Sites / Photo Credits