August 26, 2008 New Hampshire sees bright side of summer tourism

(Lauren Collins, NECN: Lake Winnipesaukee, NH) - It's just days until Labor Day - the unofficial end to the summer tourism season. But while this summer will go down in many New Englanders minds as a bit of a weather disappointment, tourism officials in New Hampshire say the season wasn't a total washout. NECN's Lauren Collins has more.

It is upon us. The last hurrah of summer.

So as we look back on the last three months, how'd New Hampshire tourism fare?

“We probably broke even this summer.”

Travel and tourism spokesman Tai Freligh says that's significant given the economy and the fact that last summer was a record season. Toll numbers and revenues from the state's meals and hotel tax were down significantly in June and July . . . The same months that were largely washed out in New England.

“Some parts of the state did better. Others didn't. There's no question that the gas prices and weather had an impact.”

Both beach and boat bound businesses will likely take the toughest hit because of those two factors. Around the Lakes Region. many mariners have opted to keep their cruisers under wraps this year.

“While there are definitely sectors of tourism that have been harmed by the economy this summer, others have thrived. Kayak and canoe rentals among them.

“We have had a good season it's been up for rentals. People are more interested in boats that don't take gas. We're very

In fact, the rentals at Wild Meadow Canoe and Kayaks are up 25 percent over last year. Many customers here are relatively local . . . From other New England and northeast states. Rental agents say the low to mid-priced properties were slow to book . . . But have filled up in recent weeks.

“People who realize that summer's coming to an end and they want to squeeze that last vacation in so they're gonna do it and it's the perfect time to do it. “

That describes the Weitze family from Kingston, New York. They came to New Hampshire because it was close by and they could reserve more nights with the travel points they'd earned:

“We decided last minute. We live in a vacation paradise and so we don't have the need to get away but yet it's still good to get away in order to experience something different so being close by this is a good choice.

And as the leaves begin to turn, the air gets crisp, and gas prices dip a bit, the best days may still be ahead. on Lake Winnepausukee, Lauren Collins, NECN.