The Pueblo of Laguna is set to break ground today on a new 150-room hotel next to the burgeoning Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque, reports the Albuquerque Tribune.
That includes the Isleta Pueblo that broke ground last month on a 201-room hotel. And a few months ago, Sandia Pueblo started construction on a 228-room resort that also features a golf course and spa.
Most of the developers want to get more visitors from far-flung places. But Isleta seeks to compete against the Vegas and Atlantic City casinos:
Isleta Pueblo’s niche, he said, could be in offering the same types of gambling, but with more family-friendly activities such as bowling and camping. Las Vegas, meanwhile, is busy reclaiming a rougher past with the famous “what happens here stays here” advertising campaign.
Plus, Ferguson said, New Mexico’s climate is better.
“You don’t have to worry about going outside,” he said.
I’m a bit skeptical about it doing that well. But with the weather, he has a point.