NH Tourism Community Morns the Passing of Dick Hamilton

Commissioner Taylor Caswell’s Statement on the Passing of Tourism Icon Dick Hamilton:

Here at the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the Division of Travel and Tourism Development, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Hamilton on Tuesday. In many ways, the Division and the work we do promoting tourism day in and day out exists because of Dick and the work he’s done over the past six decades.

Dick Hamilton was a true New Hampshire icon who dedicated his life to shaping the White Mountains into a destination that has attracted generations of visitors. His passion was tourism and he recognized its value to not only the local economy of the region, but to what has become the state’s second largest industry.

From his early days in the industry, Dick’s mantra was ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’ and we seek to embody that standard today in a sector that may otherwise be competitors — instead uniting and working together in promoting the entire region. Because of those alliances and relationships, the tourism industry, critical in the region, was able to withstand challenges such as the energy crisis in the 1970s, years when it didn’t snow and leaves may not have been that colorful, up to the fall of the Old Man of the Mountains in 2003.

Through his leadership, more than a dozen attractions, some of which are over 60 years old, are generational destinations for visitors from around the corner and around the world. These same attractions have also shaped the work ethic of countless high school students as their first summer job and are the backbone of the economy throughout the White Mountains.

The White Mountains are a place that holds great affection and affinity for many and we owe that to Dick’s vision and unabashed love of them.