As summer winds down, New Hampshire tourism officials say they expect a robust fall travel season, with more than 3 million out-of-state, overnight visitors projected, who will spend more than $1.5 billion.
During an event this week at Hazelton Orchards in Chester, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development unveiled its fall marketing campaign, which highlights activities such as hiking, leaf peeping, agritourism, dining and shopping.
“New Hampshire is the premier travel destination in the northeast all year round, but the vibrant colors of our tremendous foliage truly sets us apart during the fall travel season, drawing millions of people to all corners of the Granite State,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “The fall travel season is an incredible economic driver for our state and we are constantly working to maximize and expand visitation for the benefit of our partners and the people of New Hampshire.”
Gov. Chris Sununu, joined by Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell, left, and Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food Commissioner Shawn Jasper, kicked off what is expected to be a busy fall tourism season by picking the ceremonial first apple of autumn at Hazelton Orchards in Chester.
Representing about 25 percent total annual visitation, fall is New Hampshire’s second-largest travel season, behind summer.
Foliage, scenic drives
and pick-your-own options dominate the fall season but historically fall is
also popular for visiting attractions, college homecomings, fairs and
festivals, shopping, and visiting friends and relatives. In addition, fall
tends to draw the largest percentage of visitors from outside New England.
Visitors to New Hampshire this fall can experience fall activities and events including:
Stay connected with New
Hampshire tourism on Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
Pinterest
and
YouTube, and be sure to follow the #livefreeNH tag to see
what other people are saying about fall in New Hampshire.
On the heels of a robust summer travel season, the Granite State is readying for what New Hampshire tourism officials expect to be a record-breaking fall season. The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development projects 3 million out-of-state, overnight visitors will spend $1.4 billion in New Hampshire this fall, marking a 4.5 percent increase for visitors and a 5 percent increase for spending.
“As the second-largest travel season in New Hampshire, representing about 25-percent of New Hampshire’s total annual visitation, the fall season plays a critical economic role in driving spending that supports a variety of businesses statewide,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “New Hampshire’s 4 percent increase in market share in Boston, and a 17 percent increase in the New York designated market area, reinforces the Granite State’s appeal as a travel destination.”
Commissioner Taylor Caswell, left; Commissioner Shawn Jasper, Department of Agriculture
During the event at Brookdale Fruit Farm, DTTD unveiled its fall marketing campaign, which features fall activities, including hiking, foliage viewing, agritourism, dining, and shopping. This fall, DTTD aims to support and drive visitation though targeted digital and social media channels, as well as traditional channels, aimed at audiences throughout New England and New York, and markets in Toronto and Montreal.
“The division is tireless in its efforts to reinforce that the Granite State is the Northeast’s premier travel destination,” said Victoria Cimino, director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development. “The new blog on visitnh.gov is a perfect example of that continuous evolution, offering fresh, new content from authentic, New Hampshire insiders.”
Scenic drives and outdoor recreation are among the most popular activities during the fall season, while visiting attractions, college homecomings, fairs and festivals, shopping, and visits to friends and relatives remain favorite fall activities. The Granite State’s fall season draws the largest percentage of visitors from outside New England.
Nearly 10 million people are expected visit New Hampshire to see the fall colors over the next several weeks and will spend over $1 billion, reflecting an increase over last year’s foliage season.
Tourism is New Hampshire’s second largest industry and the foliage season draws people from around the world. This year, visitation, at 9.75 million people, will be 4 percent over last year and spending, at $1.5 billion, is a 5 percent increase from 2016, according to the Division of Travel and Tourism Development.
DTTD anticipates robust travel over the Columbus Day holiday, the state’s third busiest travel weekend, representing nearly 10 percent of all fall season visitations. Over that holiday weekend, about 710,000 visitors will spend more than $100 million – marking 5 percent increases in both visitation and spending compared to Columbus Day 2016.
Stay connected with New Hampshire tourism on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterestand YouTube, and follow the #livefreeNH tag to see what people are saying about New Hampshire.
“The continued growth in visitation and spending underscores tourism is a critical driver of New Hampshire’s economic infrastructure,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire 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.”
During foliage season, the largest percentage of visitors comes here 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.
DTTD’s blog/video series Live Free with Kris continues through the foliage season highlighting New Hampshire’s hidden gems.
