STATE TOURISM OFFICIALS ARE THRILLED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS OVER…AND NEW MEXICO'S NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS ARE OPEN AGAIN. BUT TOURISM DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN JOLENE MAUER TELLS 770 KKOB THOSE AGENCIES ARE STILL REELING FROM THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE 16-DAY SHUTDOWN.
MAUER SAYS THEY'LL DO ALL THEY CAN TO HELP AREAS OF THE STATE THAT FELT THE BIGGEST IMPACT. SHE SAYS THEY'LL TRY TO HELP DRIVE TOURISM TO THEIR AREAS THROUGH THE HOLIDAY TO EARN BACK SOME OF THE REVENUE THEY LOST DURING THE SHUTDOWN.
OVERALL, NATIONAL PARKS LOST 32 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY DURING THE SHUTDOWN. MAUER SAYS THEY'RE NOT SURE YET WHAT THE LOSSES CAME TO IN NEW MEXICO.
