EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 As El Paso prepares for one of its biggest events this weekend with the BTS concerts, nearby communities, including Las Cruces, are seeing a surge in visitors and a squeeze on lodging.<\/p>\n
Since the popular K-pop group announced its tour, the rush to book hotels in El Paso has led some travelers to reserve rooms in Las Cruces instead. <\/p>\n
According to city officials, room availability in Las Cruces has steadily dropped for months.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of those visitors coming from El Paso to Las Cruces to stay since a lot of the hotels got booked up. And not only are the hotels seeing that, but a lot of our short-term rentals are completely booked as well,\u201d said Lorena Lozano, director of marketing for Visit Las Cruces.<\/p>\n
Lozano said the influx benefits the local economy. \u201cIt helps support local businesses, it helps support infrastructure within the community through taxes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Las Cruces officials said the city\u2019s 3,000 hotel rooms across 60 hotels are completely booked. <\/p>\n
The BTS concert will be held on May 2 and 3 at the University of Texas at El Paso’s Sun Bowl stadium. <\/p>\n
Fans with VIP tickets will be able to start lining up at 10 a.m. Fans with general tickets will be able to start lining up starting at 3 p.m., depending on which gate. General doors will be open at 5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Guide: UTEP issues Sun Bowl BTS fan guide outlines parking, ticketing, general information<\/a><\/p>\n