LOS ANGELES, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Record-shattering 34.4 million trips were made to the U.S. state of New Mexico in 2016, the state's Governor Susana Martinez announced on Wednesday.
It was another record-breaking year for tourism trips in New Mexico in 2016, up from 33.4 million in 2015.
"A record number of people are visiting New Mexico and that means more money being spent in our communities -- large and small," said Martinez in a statement. "It is so exciting that more people than ever before are getting to experience what we already know: New Mexico is the best place in the world to enjoy natural beauty, vibrant culture and -- of course -- our incredible food."
Overall, trips to New Mexico have grown 15.4 percent since 2010. In addition, 2016 recorded the largest single-year increase in visits since the introduction in 2012 of New Mexico True, the state's tourism marketing project.
The local tourism industry continues to be a leader in job growth, with another 2,600 leisure and hospitality jobs added in 2016, or a 2.8-percent increase since last year and an 8.6-percent increase since 2010, according to the statement released by the governor's office.
"New Mexico True brings attention to what is 'true' about our state's vibrant culture and heritage; the things that set us apart from every other state in the country," said Rebecca Latham, cabinet secretary at New Mexico Tourism Department.
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest of the United States. It is rich in tourism resources with landscape ranging from vast deserts to snow-capped mountains.
