New Web site helps travelers explore smaller communities in New Mexico

Brenda Brooks of Hobbs is enthusiastic about an effort by state tourism and economic development officials to get people to veer off the interstates and into New Mexico’s small communities.

Before the advent of Zia Park racetrack and casino in Hobbs this year, the southeastern New Mexico community wasn’t thought of as a tourist destination, said Brooks, executive director of MainStreet Hobbs.

"We know we need to look at that lucrative market," she says.

With New Mexico’s more out-of-the-way places in mind, the state Tourism and Economic Development departments are showcasing what they call "off the road" places in a Web site, http://www.offtheroadNM.com.

The site — which bills itself as "transparently opinionated" — is aimed at letting travelers know what to do and see in less-traveled places. The other side of that is the economic boost those downtown districts get from tourist dollars.

By SUE MAJOR HOLMES
Associated Press writer

Full Story: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/01/02/news/regional/ea7b9f8b56e174d4872570e70075e23f.txt