The 2007-08 edition of the Official Las Cruces Visitors Guide is now available. The 64 page book features a variety of information for anyone visiting Las Cruces including: hotels, restaurants, attractions, recreational and sports facilities, transportation information and a map. This year's guide is 8.5 x 11 instead of the smaller 6 x 9 from previous years. If you would like a copy, contact the CVB at cvb@lascrucescvb.org or 541-2444.

The CVB has officially Hired Jennifer Bales to be the bureau's first Services Manager. Bales, who will begin work on August 6, will be working closely with the bureau sales departments to provide assistance to the sales process as well as work with incoming groups to make sure all their needs have been taken care of. Bales has over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in California and Arizona as a professional meeting planner. Her expertise and experience in the services area will serve as a tremendous asset to the bureau and future visitors to Las Cruces. Bales' position will now allow the sales team to focus more on the sales capacity of each department. You can contact Jennifer at jbales@las-cruces.org.

For the eighth straight year, lodgers tax collected by Las Cruces lodging facilities are up. Lodgers tax collections closed the 2006-07 fiscal year about 19 percent over the previous fiscal year. This was the largest single year increase in lodgers tax since it increased 9.5 percent during the 2001-02 fiscal year.

Since 2001, lodgers tax has increased 51 percent, amidst a recovering tourism industry, a sluggish economy and international terrorism and war.

"Whether it is leisure or business travel, tourism in Las Cruces continues to grow," said CVB Executive Director Ken Mompellier. "Effective sales, marketing and promotion throughout the Las Cruces tourism community has really helped to put Las Cruces on the map."

Las Cruces has also seen a slow but continued increase in the average daily rate (ADR) of many local lodging properties, helping to generate additional revenue.

For the sixth time in seven years, Las Cruces has been recognized by Facilities & Destinations magazine as a Top Destination.

Las Cruces was among several US cities selected by the magazine's readers to receive the 2006 award recognizing destinations for their ability to accommodate groups and conventions.

"This is a great honor for Las Cruces and the CVB; we are pleased to have been selected again by the readers of Facilities & Destinations to receive this year's Top Destination award," said CVB Executive Director Ken Mompellier.

Readers based their decision on such criteria as quality of meeting space, professionalism of staff, hotel accommodations, onsite management, special promotions and services, accessibility and the attractiveness of the destination.

"Together, the bureau and local hotel sales departments have taken an aggressive approach to promoting Las Cruces facilities to the meetings market while emphasizing the many great reasons to hold meetings in Las Cruces. Over the past few years we have established many great contacts and are looking forward to expanding the meetings and convention market in Las Cruces," said Mompellier.

The Convention Sales Department is currently under the direction of Convention Sales Manager John Bulla who joined the CVB staff in 2006.

Representatives from 103 New Mexico municipalities will be on hand in Las Cruces for the 2007 New Mexico Municipal League annual conference August 28 - 31. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the conference. It is expected that anywhere between 800- 1,000 people will attend. The conference will be held at Corbett Center, with evening functions to take place at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum and on the newly renovated section of the Downtown.

A Louisiana based tour operator came through Las Cruces on a site tour this past June 14th. The company was doing a site-inspection of the locations they will be visiting on a future tour that will be running through the area. While in town, they visited the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum and Old Mesilla, and dined at La Posta. They stayed at the newly opened Hampton Inn & Suites, which is a favorite of the tour group. The group enjoyed their time in Las Cruces very much, and will be bringing a tour through Las Cruces soon. There was even talk about extending the tour so they can enjoy the Farmers & Crafts Market and take in more of the exciting sites that Las Cruces has to offer.

The folks at wegoplaces.com have asked us to help them get the word out about free listings on their website. If you are interested, click on the link below. Wegoplaces.com is dedicated to promoting tourism within United States and Canada. To do this, they have provided a free listing service for attractions, accommodations, restaurants, activities and events. Below is list of what the free listing includes. For more information contact Jeff Smith at JeffS@WeGoPlaces.com.

Free Listing includes:

• Brief and detailed description of your business
• Location and directions
• Up to 10 photos
• Contact information
• Links to Web site
• List of amenities
• Links to online ticket sales

Click here to setup your free listing.