Favorable economic conditions combined with lower gas prices this year than last year could mean a record fall season in New Hampshire. Visitors in large numbers from around the world are expected to come and enjoy the bright colors of fall over the next few months, according to state tourism officials.
“We are anticipating about 7.8 million people to come here between now and the end of November and that would be about 2 percent higher than last year,” said Lori Harnois, director of the Division of Travel and Tourism Development in Concord. “More than spending time, these visitors will spend over a $1 billion, which is up by about 3 percent over last year.”
The Institute for New Hampshire Studies compiled the numbers, which are based onspending patterns, gas prices, weather and the previous year’s activity.
Harnois added, “We’re already getting great leaf-peeping photos on our social media, website and foliage tracker app, now in its second year.”
Fall has the largest number of visitors from outside of New England and the largest number of out-of-state visitors on group tours. Most of the visitors for the three fall months of September, October and November will be from New England, the Middle Atlantic States and Canada.
Current Issue - May 2024