Lincoln County may see quick economic recovery post pandemic

Lincoln County's tourism industry is likely to experience a speedy economic recovery, according to new data from the New Mexico Department of Tourism.

A study released by the New Mexico Tourism Department, the Tourism Injury Index released Feb. 2, showed Lincoln County suffered a "medium-to-low" economy injury, rating a 5.25 on a 8.0 scale. Lincoln County shared the same measure with Torrence and Harding counties.

The index measures year-over-year revenue loss, percentage of short-term rentals versus traditional lodging in a county's market, a county's dependence on visitor spending and a county's reliance on meetings and conventions.

The Village of Ruidoso and City of Ruidoso Downs is known to draw visitors, lodging making up more than half of the area's tourism dollars.

In 2015 visitor spending was trending upward with $198.2 million recorded and $24.8 million in total tourism tax receipts. Second homes made up 44% of revenues while lodging make up 17.3%, according to the economic data.

In 2011 visitor spending leveled off to $173.7 million with only $22.2 million in total tourism tax receipts. That year second homes constituted 42% of revenue and lodging another 20%.

The latest data, 2019 showed a continued short downturn, as the COVID-19 public health crisis cost New Mexico $3.15 billion in visitor spending in 2020, a report by the Department of Tourism stated.

Statewide occupancy rates showed an average of 63.9% in March at the forefront of the pandemic, a statistic which dropped to 40.2% in January 2021. It reached its lowest rate in April 2020 at 22% following emergency public health orders by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that essentially closed non-essential businesses.

Nearly 30,000 New Mexican leisure and hospitality workers were without jobs in New Mexico in December 2020, according to the index. Unemployment peaked in Lincoln County in July 2020 at 9.05%, reaching 6.80% in December, according to the index.

"The Executive Budget Recommendation for FY22 includes a special appropriation of $25 million for tourism recovery," a news release from the Department of Tourism read.

"The proposed special appropriation will help NMTD keep New Mexico competitive with other states when we are able to re-enter the marketplace and may reduce the anticipated timeline for recovery to three years for the tourism industry." 

Outdoor reaction, though a smaller portion of the tourism economy in the region, was slightly less impacted as recreational areas including national and state parks remained somewhat open to visitors.

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Lincoln National Forest saw increased visitation through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Many of our visitors were novice outdoor enthusiasts from neighboring metro areas looking to escape urban life, if only for a weekend," Lincoln National Forest spokeswoman Laura Rabon said. 

"The increase in visitation was a double-edged sword. We were excited to see so many people enjoying their national forest, however the sudden large influx contributed to an increase in vandalism, trash and misuse of trails primarily by larger UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicles) side-by-side vehicles this summer."

Winter is usually a slower time on the Lincoln National Forest but forest administration are planning for another year of more visitors, Rabon said. 

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@currentargus.com, @JussGREAT on Twitter at by phone at 575-628-5531.

The Alamogordo Daily News contributed to this story.