SANTA FE, NM (KRQE) – The New Mexico Tourism Department announced Friday that employment in the recreational and hospitality sectors saw the largest percentage decline of any sector in the state. This emerges from the department’s analysis of employment trends up to 2020.

Recreation and hospitality were down 30% in 2020 compared to 2019, according to a press release. Natural resources and mining, including the oil and gas workforce, saw the second largest drop at 28% year over year.

Workforce Solutions: $ 3 billion in benefits to unemployed New Mexicans as of March 2020

The economic impact on the state’s leisure and hospitality industries has reportedly been more severe than the national average, which saw a 23% decline. The impact was also greater for New Mexico than for the neighboring states of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.

On February 9, 2021, House Bill 267 was unveiled to the House of Representatives, which would provide $ 30 million for a career advancement program in the tourism industry. The bill also includes $ 8 million for an even revitalization program and $ 7 million to maintain and expand the tourism business.

HB 267 will be heard by the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on Saturday February 13th. Read the full invoice below:

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