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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FORECAST PREDICTS BEST SUMMER SEASON EVER
Fourth of July Celebration Kicks off Busiest Months of Summer Season
CONCORD, N.H., June 25, 2007 – Shopping, outdoor recreation, and visiting friends and relatives are only some of the reasons visitors will flock to New Hampshire this summer. According to the forecast prepared for the Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) by the Institute for New Hampshire Studies, more than 13 million visitors will travel to New Hampshire this summer, an increase of two percent over levels seen in 2006. Total visitor spending is projected to be about four percent above last summer’s levels, reaching more than $1.6 billion and setting a new spending record.
Resorts, hotels, motels, and inns should have a one to two percent increase in occupancy rates. Stays at campgrounds, second homes and with friends and relatives will likely see an increase of two percent. Overnight accommodations will very likely be filled on most weekends during July and August in many resort communities.
“New Hampshire has so much to offer – from quaint shops and galleries, to scenic state parks and historic sites, to sparkling lakes and sandy beaches, and traditional festivals and open-air markets. And, as always, the shopping in New Hampshire is tax-free. With so many wonderful things going on in New Hampshire, it’s no wonder visitors come back again and again,” Gov. John Lynch said.
“Nearly 40 percent of all visitors and visitor spending on an annual basis occur during the summer months of June, July, and August,” explains DTTD Director Alice DeSouza. “Visitors to New Hampshire will likely be from New England, the Middle Atlantic states and eastern Canada, which is indicative of the Division’s promotional target markets.”
“If weather cooperates and this forecast is realized, New Hampshire will exceed the record summer of 2000,” DeSouza points out. “The growth is likely due to more overnight trips and extended weekend visits, including Fourth of July weekend.”
The Fourth of July holiday is the most active travel time in New Hampshire, kicking off the busiest months of the summer season – July and August. More than 1.2 million visitors are expected to come from out-of-state during the extra-long holiday period, afforded by the mid-week celebration. Visitors are anticipated to spend more than $165 million. Resorts, hotels, motels, and campgrounds should see a one percent increase in average occupancy rates for the weekend compared with last year.
Gasoline prices are not expected to have an impact on the number of trips taken during the holiday weekend. “A study conducted last summer by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) found that on the typical driving vacation of 800 miles, higher prices would add just $30 to overall trip costs,” notes DeSouza. “A slight increase in cost will cause some visitors to make slight modifications to their travel plans, but won’t cause them to cancel. In fact, many lodging properties throughout New Hampshire have posted ‘Gasoline Friendly Packages’ on visitnh.gov, providing an added-value to the customer.”
ABOUT THE DIVISION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, 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, 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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Paid in Part by the NH Division of Travel & Tourism. For statewide group travel information 603-271-2665,