Will ‘Breaking Bad’ season 5 be the end of New Mexico’s tourism surge?

It’s always interesting to see just what sort of substantial impact the production of a hit show has on the economy surrounding it, and there is no better example of this very thing than looking at what has happened since “Breaking Bad” started rising in popularity. Albuquerque, New Mexico is not a place that many tourists around the country had on their radar as an ideal destination prior to the show’s launch (at least save for people with a fascination for the west), but thanks in part to Walter White, it has become a hotbed for TV enthusiasts.

According to the Associated Press, the city has embraced the craze in many ways. A touring company sold out some of their tours that featured filming locations for the show, and there are stories selling versions of the infamous “blue” while even donut shops are making their own confections that keep the show very close in mind. “Breaking Bad” fever is everywhere … which probably makes everyone in the city rather sad that the AMC series is ending with the final eight episodes this summer.

So will Albuquerque be able to continue this tourism trend? While there will likely be show fans who visit the city for much of the several years following the end of the show, it will eventually subside. Not only that, but the New Mexico Governor has vetoed new legislation that would raise filming subsidies and potentially bring in more attention to the state by having future film and TV projects film in the area.

Would you ever visit a city just based on a show that was filmed there? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below, and you can also visit the link here in order to take a look behind the scenes of “Breaking Bad” with Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston front and center.

Photo: AMC