Visit Albuquerque’s Annual Meeting and FY26 Report to Stakeholders included valuable insight into how Albuquerque residents view their city and the role tourism plays in the community.

The 2026 Resident Sentiment Study found strong support for tourism, while also highlighting the qualities residents value most, including outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, arts and local amenities. For REALTORS®, this resident perspective provides a useful snapshot of what people appreciate about living in Albuquerque and the characteristics that help shape the city’s identity, quality of life and appeal to current and future residents.

RESIDENT SENTIMENT

Albuquerque residents express strong support for tourism and recognize the important role it plays in the community’s economy and quality of life. According to the 2026 Albuquerque Resident Sentiment Study, 87% of residents say tourism is important to Albuquerque’s economy, while 86% believe tourism supports local jobs and businesses. Residents also see broader community benefits, with 79% saying tourism contributes to cultural vitality and 73% agreeing that tourism enhances amenities and services they personally enjoy. These findings demonstrate that residents view tourism as an asset that helps strengthen Albuquerque’s economy while contributing to the experiences and infrastructure that benefit the community year-round.

Residents also recognize Albuquerque’s appeal as a visitor destination. Among the dimensions measured in the study, Albuquerque received its strongest ratings as a place to visit, earning a 74% good-to-excellent rating, outperforming perceptions of the city as a place to live, work, study or do business. Access to outdoor recreation emerged as one of Albuquerque’s greatest strengths, with 90% of residents agreeing the city offers exceptional outdoor opportunities. Residents clearly understand that the same qualities that contribute to their own quality of life also help make Albuquerque attractive to visitors.

The city’s cultural identity remains one of its most significant competitive advantages. Historic and cultural sites received an 88% good-to-excellent rating, while arts and culture offerings earned 84%, both exceeding ratings among benchmark destinations. Residents also gave strong marks to outdoor recreation, culinary experiences, festivals and events. Nearly two-thirds of residents associate Albuquerque with its cultural heritage, history and diversity, reinforcing the authenticity that differentiates the destination from competitors. This connection is especially strong among Native American and Hispanic residents, underscoring a cultural identity rooted in community, tradition and lived experience.

As Albuquerque continues to attract visitors, meetings, sporting events and new investment, resident support remains one of the destination’s greatest strengths. The FY26 study indicates that residents recognize tourism’s economic value, appreciate the city’s unique cultural and outdoor assets, and remain optimistic about Albuquerque’s future. This strong alignment between resident sentiment and destination strengths positions Albuquerque well for continued tourism growth in the years ahead.

TOURISM BENEFITS RESIDENTS

• 87% say tourism is important to Albuquerque’s economy
• 86% say tourism supports jobs in Albuquerque
• 73% say tourism improves amenities in Albuquerque
• $990 in tax savings per household
• 45,000 jobs in the hospitality industry