New Hampshire Tourism Leaders Warn of 30% Canadian Drop as $1.50 Gas Spike Clouds Summer
Updated
Updated · InDepthNH.org · May 29
New Hampshire Tourism Leaders Warn of 30% Canadian Drop as $1.50 Gas Spike Clouds Summer
1 articles · Updated · InDepthNH.org · May 29
Lakes Region tourism leaders told Sen. Jeanne Shaheen they expect another weak summer from Canada after visits last year fell about 30% from normal, with few signs of a broader foreign-tourist rebound.
A roughly $1.50-a-gallon jump in gasoline prices tied to the Iran war is adding to inflation pressure, prompting some travelers to delay bookings, shorten weekend trips and spend more cautiously.
Labor strains have eased somewhat as retirees take seasonal jobs to cover higher living costs, though employers said New Hampshire’s $550,000 average home price still makes recruiting and relocation difficult.
Canadian losses are especially acute for some events: Laconia Motorcycle Week said attendance from Canada was down at least 70% last year ahead of this year’s 103rd rally starting June 13.
Tourism remains New Hampshire’s second-largest industry, supporting 70,000 jobs, and officials said bookings in some areas are still up or meeting expectations despite the pressure on cross-border travel.
With Canadian tourism plummeting, can a marketing pivot to regional visitors salvage New Hampshire's summer and its multi-billion dollar industry?
New Hampshire's housing costs are soaring. Can its vital tourism industry survive if workers cannot afford to live there?
Retirees are filling New Hampshire's job gaps. Is this a clever labor solution or a symptom of a broader retirement crisis?