Visit Albuquerque, a destination marketing organization, is dedicated to stimulating economic growth in the city of Albuquerque by promoting it as a premier destination for leisure travelers, meetings, and sports events. In 2022, the Albuquerque City Council established the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD), consisting of approximately 150 local lodging establishments. The ATMD’s purpose is to enhance and expand tourism through coordinated marketing and visitor engagement efforts, funded by district-generated revenue. Notably, 5% of ATMD revenue is allocated annually to support tourism grants.
The Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program aims to inspire innovative projects that enhance the city’s vibrancy and tourism economy. These grants support new and creative initiatives that provide engaging experiences for both residents and visitors. The overarching goal is to build a more diverse and thriving tourism landscape by funding efforts that generate increased overnight stays and contribute to the destination’s appeal.
For the 2025 grant cycle, applications opened on May 5, 2025, and are due by 11:59 p.m. on June 4, 2025. To be eligible to apply, attendance at one of the mandatory informational workshops is required. These sessions are scheduled as follows: May 8, 2025, in-person at Visit Albuquerque’s downtown office; May 13, 2025, via a virtual platform; and May 29, 2025, also via a virtual platform. These workshops ensure that all applicants understand program requirements and expectations.
Following submission, applications will be reviewed in June 2025, with award notifications expected in late June. Grant funding will be disbursed in July 2025, and funded tourism projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. These timelines help ensure that the grant-funded projects are timely and contribute to the upcoming tourism cycle.
Application materials and the full program guide are accessible online. For inquiries, applicants can contact Visit Albuquerque via email at grants@visitabq.org. Additionally, a list of past grant recipients is available on the organization's website to provide prospective applicants with examples of previously funded initiatives.
