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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

N.H. To See More Tourism Dollars This Winter Season

Courtesy of Bretton Wood's Facebook page
Bretton Woods is the first ski resort to start the New Hampshire ski season this year.

With two ski areas kicking off the season this past weekend, winter tourism in New Hampshire is officially here.

State tourism officials are estimating roughly $1.25 billion will be spent in New Hampshire this winter, which is a 4 percent uptick from last season.

That includes people coming up to go skiing and snowmobiling  and staying and eating at the state’s resorts and restaurants.

Scott Rice owns The Woodstock Inn, a popular restaurant and brewery near Loon Mountain Resort. He said during the winter weekends they see up to 800 people a night.

“This is exceptionally early to really get going – we usually count on Thanksgivings to really be the kick off to winter skiing and activities," Rice said. "But this year the weather really seems to be with us and we are really going to get kicked started a little bit early this year, which is great.”

More than 8 million people are expected to visit the state during the winter months.

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