As the region gears up for fall tourism, Granite Staters are expecting the season to be strong, with millions of tourists expected to pour into New Hampshire this autumn. The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development expects that growth will likely slow this year, as is the case with many other destinations. However, growth is expected to continue into the fall.Travel experts are considering current unpredictable economic factors like inflation and higher gas prices. However, this comes after a record-breaking year in 2021.“Last fall, we experienced a record-breaking season with 39% year over year visitation growth,” Lori Harnois, Director of NH Travel and Tourism, said. “There are signs the rebound is leveling off. And this year the growth is expected to slow. However, we are still anticipating a strong season and modest increases over last year with 4.3 million people expected to visit.”The strong performance last year, according to DTTD, was due to a combination of pent-up travel demand, drivable outdoor leisure activities, and targeted marketing efforts.At Patch Orchards in Lebanon, things are in full fall swing. “Apples and fall season are going very, very well,” said Matt Patch, of Patch Orchards. “We got a nice crop and we hope to see as the fall goes on we get some color on the trees and we hope to see lots of people.”The orchard is open seven days a week this year, with people stopping by for leisure or on work outings.“We decided to have a little day out and do a team event, so we wanted to run the corn maze and maybe do some apple picking,” said Jesse Mader of Manchester. “Then we decided to get some hard cider instead. So, the apple picking didn’t happen, but the corn maze was super fun.”Patch said he has high hopes for the rest of the season.“The turnout has been excellent this year,” he said. “Apple sales have been great.”
LEBANON, N.H. —
As the region gears up for fall tourism, Granite Staters are expecting the season to be strong, with millions of tourists expected to pour into New Hampshire this autumn.
The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development expects that growth will likely slow this year, as is the case with many other destinations. However, growth is expected to continue into the fall.
Travel experts are considering current unpredictable economic factors like inflation and higher gas prices. However, this comes after a record-breaking year in 2021.
“Last fall, we experienced a record-breaking season with 39% year over year visitation growth,” Lori Harnois, Director of NH Travel and Tourism, said. “There are signs the rebound is leveling off. And this year the growth is expected to slow. However, we are still anticipating a strong season and modest increases over last year with 4.3 million people expected to visit.”
The strong performance last year, according to DTTD, was due to a combination of pent-up travel demand, drivable outdoor leisure activities, and targeted marketing efforts.
At Patch Orchards in Lebanon, things are in full fall swing.
“Apples and fall season are going very, very well,” said Matt Patch, of Patch Orchards. “We got a nice crop and we hope to see as the fall goes on we get some color on the trees and we hope to see lots of people.”
The orchard is open seven days a week this year, with people stopping by for leisure or on work outings.
“We decided to have a little day out and do a team event, so we wanted to run the corn maze and maybe do some apple picking,” said Jesse Mader of Manchester. “Then we decided to get some hard cider instead. So, the apple picking didn’t happen, but the corn maze was super fun.”
Patch said he has high hopes for the rest of the season.
“The turnout has been excellent this year,” he said. “Apple sales have been great.”
