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Tourism is New Hampshire’s second-largest industry–if you combine the state’s smart manufacturing and high technology sectors (SMHT). It’s also a clear point of intersection between government and industry, with the state maintaining a number of parks, campgrounds, and historical sites, and nearby businesses in turn catering to visitors’ needs. Given this close relationship, the state provides funding to market New Hampshire to potential tourists. Some of the heaviest marketing efforts are concentrated in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. Canadian tourists, especially Quebeçois, also make up a sizable number of New Hampshire’s visitors. From the business perspective, “tourism” is a broad term. It encompasses hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail, and arts and entertainment, among other things. So while statewide reports may indicate overall restaurant or retail sales are up or down, the story might be very different in New Hampshire’s main tourism communities. For these places, weather, gas prices, currency exchange rates, and whether they draw visitors for outdoor activities, site-seeing, or shopping could all be factors.Summary provided by StateImpact NH

625,000 Visitors, $100M In Spending Forecast For Memorial Day Weekend

  New Hampshire tourism officials are estimating that 625,000 people will visit the state and spend $100 million over the three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend.

That's a 4 percent increase in visitors and a 5 percent increase in visitor spending compared to a year ago.

Research shows scenic drives and outdoor recreation are the most prevalent Memorial Day weekend activities in the state, while shopping, attending commemorative events, college graduations, visiting friends and relatives, and rest and relaxation also are popular.

Most of New Hampshire's visitors will travel from New England and New York, but tourism officials anticipate visitors from the Middle Atlantic states and Canada's six eastern provinces, as well. They say the price of gasoline should positively influence short-term trips from Canada into New Hampshire.

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