The popular Albuquerque, New Mexico based AMC drama, Breaking Bad, has helped stamp the city as a tourist destination. The modest commercial center of New Mexico, is not known for being a tourist draw but the popularity of the show Breaking Bad is helping to change that image.
Breaking Bad, has gained popularity through its five seasons in a series of meth-based, drug-slinging dramas that has kept viewers entranced. The general synopsis of the storyline is of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with fatal lung cancer at the beginning of the series. To help secure his family's financial security before he passes, he turns to producing and selling meth with a former student, Jessie Pinkman (Aaron Paul).
At first, Albuquerque's Convention and Visitor's Bureau was not thrilled that the show took place in their town due to the subject matter, but have subsequently changed their mind due to the increase in tourism. Dale Lockett who heads up the Albuquerque Convention and Visitor's Bureau said to USA Today Travel, "People are traveling to our city to see the locations featured in the show and then spending time at our attractions, restaurants and hotels. This unexpected new visitor market is definitely a pleasant surprise, and we will soon be marketing it more aggressively."
The town's increase in popularity could also be due to tours that showcase Breaking Bad locations. ABQ Trolley Co. has created a three-hour Breaking Bad tour for this month's season premiere. The tour, which costs $60 a person, was sold out for all of its seven departures. The tour included a number of spots shown on the tv show including main characters, Jessie Pinkman and Walter White's houses, The Car Wash, Saul Goodman's law office, Tuco's hideout, Los Pollos Hermanos and more.
The entire fifth season of the show is shot across the city making it easy for tour operators to capitalize on its popularity.
