Governor Susana Martinez celebrates New Mexico Tourism and the opening of Parklet106 in Silver City

By Alexis Rico (Grant County Beat Intern)

Many crowded around Parklet106, downtown Silver City, on Monday, July 11, 2016. Present for the grand opening was Governor Susana Martinez, Tourism Secretary Rebecca Latham, Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner, State Representative John Zimmerman, Town Manager Alex Brown, Assistant Town Manager James Marshall and a few members from the Town of Silver City Council. Everyone present celebrated the great accomplishments the state of New Mexico has reached in tourism.

Tourism is seen as a vital part of the Silver City community. There are many landmarks and festivals, including the Bike and Blues Festival, Tour of the Gila, and the Chocolate Fantasia, that attract people from all over the nation to Silver City. Parklet106 adds to the beauty of the community, Mayo Ladner said.

GǣOn behalf of the town of Silver City, I would like to express appreciation to all those, and there were many, who made this beautiful, little oasis Parklet106 possible,Gǥ he said.

Governor Martinez expressed how the tourism within the state is growing and how Silver City has been a big factor in the growth of the tourism. Silver City is blessed with the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, and a thriving art scene. Governor Martinez also announced New Mexico for the past 4 years has had record breaking tourism growth.

In 2015, 33.4 million visitors came to New Mexico. This is an all time high for the state. The growing tourism rates help the economy and create jobs within the tourism industry.

Secretary Rebecca Latham, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, thanked Governor Martinez for her continued support in New Mexico tourism.

Latham also added that there is $10 million for New Mexico advertisement.

GǣWe are boldly proclaiming New Mexico is a state worthy of visiting,Gǥ Latham stated.

Under the marketable overnight trips category, the usual leisure trips people take, New Mexico has moved from number 36 to 27. Latham explained that this is incredible and is because of all the effort and work that is put into New Mexico tourism.

Lastly, Latham announced that Syzygy Tile is the most recent New Mexico company to be accepted into the New Mexico True Certified Program.