The Department of Business and Economic Affairs,
Division of Travel and Tourism (DTTD) is anticipating an estimated 4.8 million people will visit New Hampshire this summer with spending by those visitors expected to reach $2.6 billion. The numbers represent a 3% growth in visitation over last year. DTTD unveiled its
summer marketing campaign, along with forecast for visitation, during the NH Tourism Summit at the Lakeport Opera House in Laconia.
“While this past year marked a return to normal levels for leisure travel, nationally growth in that area is expected to be about 2.5%, and according to our research New Hampshire should follow that trend.” said NH Travel and Tourism Director Lori Harnois, “Additionally, with the Canadian market still showing some of the fastest growth, New Hampshire should see an added boost resulting from accelerated visitation from Canada. Canada is New Hampshire’s top international market, so this is very positive news for us and we are anticipating a robust summer tourism season.”
New Hampshire’s summer campaign is transitioning from the “Discover Your New” platform to lean into the brand positioning of “Live Free.” The creative and messaging is aimed at inspiring travelers to feel full of possibilities and free of expectations when visiting the state. New Hampshire will continue to have a presence in its core markets of New England and eastern New York; road trip markets of Eastern PA; Greater Montreal and Quebec City in Canada. The campaign launched in the road trip and Canadian markets in April, and in late April – beginning of May in its core markets.
The event marked the second annual Summit, and this year DTTD introduced the BEA Collaborator of the Year Award. The award highlights an organization that has shown commitment, partnership and support to communities and the state throughout the year for the greater good of tourism and economic development. This year’s award went to the
Greater Monadnock Collaborative. The Collaborative is the Monadnock Region’s destination marketing organization working with commercial and community partners to highlight and amplify everything that makes the region a one-of-a-kind vacation destination, great place to live, and a rewarding area to do business.
Greater Monadnock Collaborative President & CEO Luca Paris receiving BEA Collaborator of the Year Award from BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell.
ABOUT THE NH DIVISION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, works with the state’s seven travel regions to increase visitation, travel and visitor expenditures in order to expand business activity and employment throughout the state. The division is responsible for domestic and international advertising and public relations, literature publication and distribution,
www.visitnh.gov administration, grant administration and research to monitor and measure the impact of travel and tourism to the state. For more information about New Hampshire tourism, call 603-271-2665 or visit
www.visitnh.gov.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kris Neilsen
Communications Manager, NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development
Kris.M.Neilsen@livefree.nh.gov