Once again, thanks to our "reporters" from around the state who shared the following information with the Travel Council.

From Jim Narkiewicz, Keene Super 8 Motel/ Monadnock Region, Monadnock Travel Council:
"A very busy Columbus Day weekend with 100% occupancy and great weather. Many travelers came from as far as California, Texas, Ohio and Illinois. Visitors from the New England States came primarily from CT, VT, MA and NH. The largest numbers came from NY. International Travel has increased due to the value of the dollar, especially from Canada (Nova Scotia and Ontario). Other International travelers have been from Australia, England and Scotland."

From Denise Meadows with the EF Lane Hotel in Keene, "The Monadnock Region was sold out for the weekend and as far as I am aware through phone calls so was the rest of the state and most of Vermont! The leaves are just beginning to turn in the Monadnock Region. This weekend was a good kick off for the foliage season with awesome weather. The EF Lane Hotel is sold out every night this week (except Columbus Day @ 75%) through the 13th. Everyone is gearing up for the Pumpkin Festival, and I put a request out state wide via Monadnock Travel Council for availability state wide for the weekend on the 20th and we now have a well composed list to pass out to members to keep folks in NH that are coming for the festival."

B.J. "Doc" Noel of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce wrote, "Although the weather was nice during Columbus Day weekend there is still not a ton of activity at the beach as most people do go to the mountains for foliage. However, because the weather was so beautiful, many of the hotels stated that they were busier than usual, due to people staying over."

Marti Mayne with the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce reports, "It certainly looks like Mt. Washington Valley saw record numbers of visitors Columbus Day weekend. I heard from Krissy Fraser at Attitash that they welcomed the highest number of attendees to their annual Oktoberfest they've ever had. Also heard from Cranmore that they launched its Ghoullog Halloween attraction and surpassed expectations for first weekend attendance. Over 1,000 visitors attended the event which features a haunted chairlift ride and a tour of a haunted house at the Summit of Cranmore Mountain. I heard from Wills Inn and Royalty Inn that they were sold out for the three day weekend. Don King at Royalty Inn says he's seeing at least 15% more Canadians this year. We saw Canadians from New Brunswick, Montreal, and Ontario. They came, they shopped and they ate. The Valley's restaurants were filled throughout the weekend. With Columbus Day falling a little earlier on the calendar, we have additional weeks of foliage to look forward to. I expect by the end of October, we'll hear that it's been a very strong foliage season for all business sectors in Mt. Washington Valley (and we did!)."   More >>

When it comes to holiday business greeting cards, to send or not to send is the question. What is a well-meaning gesture can offend the people you want to impress when not done properly. Read on

While business is brisk today in many parts of the industry, planning makes "luck" much more achievable. For 13 strategies that will help you be more effective and successful in the management of your property, read on.

Travelers want to go green and stay clean in the next year, and they don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, according to an annual survey of travel trends.

The New & Improved Governor's Conference on Tourism, to be held at the Mt. Washington Hotel, will be THE event to attend for members of New Hampshire's Travel & Tourism Industry.

That's you!   Details to follow in upcoming issues.

If you have an industry friend or company colleague who might enjoy or benefit from our newsletters, please feel free to pass us along!  The New Hampshire Travel Council is dedicated to providing marketing education and information to our industry, and we hope that you will help us to spread the word.  Just ask them to click on our “Join Our Mailing List” link.

Because everyone was so busy during the month of October, including yours truly, we decided to combine our October and November newsletters into one Fall issue. Beginning in December, we'll be back to our monthly publication schedule.

We welcome submissions that would be of statewide interest, or articles that you would like to share that address trends, forecasts, marketing tips, etc. that pertain to the various segments of our industry. Please send information for consideration to Susan Logan, a member of the Travel Council's Board of Directions, and Editor of this newsletter: susan@nhtourismnetwork.com

Thanks!
Susan Logan, Editor, News You Can Use!
Member, NHTC Board of Directors