New Hampshire’s second largest economic driver will get a substantial boost this fall as NH tourism officials are projecting increases in tourism visitation and spending. During a special event at the Statehouse on Thursday, Oct. 5, the NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development announced that 9.75 million visitors will spend $1.5 billion this fall season. That's a four-percent and five-percent increase respectively over fall 2016.
In addition to a strong overall fall season, the Division is anticipating robust travel over the Columbus Day Weekend, NH’s third busiest travel weekend representing nearly 10-percent of all fall season visitation. The Division's research partners project approximately 710,000 visitors will spend more than $100 million—marking five-percent increases in both visitation and spending compared to Columbus Day 2016.
“The continued growth in visitation and spending underscores tourism is a critical driver of New Hampshire’s economic infrastructure,” says Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “The fall tourism season, particularly viewing foliage and enjoying varied outdoor recreation, is a major contributor to New Hampshire’s tourism businesses and attractions.”
The state's tourism web site includes a refreshed foliage tracker that enables visitors to see foliage reports, scenic drives, photo opportunities, and other visitor’s images.
“With a breathtaking canopy of color as the backdrop, opportunities to enjoy New Hampshire are limitless this fall,” says Amy Bassett, deputy director of the NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development. “Informed by visitor data and comprehensive research, the Division leverages cutting edge marketing platforms to position New Hampshire as the northeast’s premier travel destination.”
The Granite State’s fall season draws the largest percentage of visitors from outside New England. Research partners point to a number of positive indicators, including consumer spending, consumer confidence, employment growth, wage growth, and travel expenditures, as supporting a strong fall season. Reasonable gas prices and somewhat lower domestic airline ticket prices will also bolster visitation and spending.
Scenic drives and outdoor recreation will remain the most popular activities this fall, while visiting farm stands, orchards, festivals, agricultural fairs, attractions, and friends and relatives are also popular visitor activities. Shopping is also a popular fall activity in NH.
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