Nearly 80 International Tour Operators Meet with
300 New England Venues;
Providing Economic Impact of $1.2 Million to State
Concord, New Hampshire, March 30th, 2011 – New Hampshire tourism officials announced today that nearly 80 international tour operators and 300 representatives from New England hotels, resorts, attractions and destinations will be arriving over the weekend to attend Discover New England’s 2011 Summit at the Omni Mt. Washington Resort. The summit is projected to have a positive economic impact of $1.2 million on the state.
“Hosting this first class event will bring short and long term benefits to the New Hampshire travel industry, as well as the New England region,” said Lori Harnois, director of the Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD). “With conference rooms, extra meals and spending from close to 400 people, our industry experts project a very positive economic impact to New Hampshire of more than $1.2 million. However, the longer term benefit of increasing our numbers of international travelers to New England is equally important.” According to Harnois, approximately 1.6 million overseas travelers come to the region each year. This conference is an opportunity to showcase all that New England can offer to international travelers looking to explore and experience a vacation here.
The annual summit rotates among the six New England states, and this is the first time since 2005 that the event has been held in New Hampshire. The conference runs Monday April 4th – Wednesday April 6th.
“Discover New England works to increase visitation into the New England region primarily by working closely with international tour operators and U.S-based receptive operators who either have established itineraries in New England or are looking to introduce new programs,” said Sue Norrington-Davies, managing director of Discover New England. “This is the largest travel conference we’ve hosted in New England, and it will represent an extraordinary opportunity to develop business with tour operators and showcase the region.”
Workshops and one-on-one business meetings with international tour operators and receptive operators will take place throughout the conference, as well as presentations by tourism professionals.
Media interested in attending the conference or looking for more information or interviews can contact Tai Freligh, Communications Manager, DTTD at (603) 271-2343, #2; tai.freligh@dred.state.nh.us.; or Deb Daigle, Media Relations, Montagne Communications, (603) 644-3200 x12; ddaigle@montagnecom.com . The “How to Summit” workshop on Monday, April 4th from 1 – 2 PM is recommended for first time attendees.
Discover New England (DNE) is the official tourism organization representing the New England region, and is a non-profit cooperative marketing entity funded by the participating states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. DNE’s primary mission is to increase tourism to the New England region from overseas markets — with a particular focus on the core markets of the United Kingdom/Ireland and Germany.
DNE was formed in 1992 when the incumbent Tourism Directors of the respective New England states formed a united front to market collectively to Europe. Outside of the United States, New England is the “brand” recognized by travelers and tour operators, who often do not recognize the names of the individual states. This joint marketing effort has proven to be highly successful and continues to offer an excellent return on investment for the individual states each year.
ABOUT THE DIVISION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, works with the state’s seven travel regions to increase visitation, travel and visitor expenditures in order to expand business activity and employment throughout the state. The division is responsible for domestic and international advertising and public relations, literature publication and distribution, www.visitnh.gov administration, grant administration and research to monitor and measure the impact of travel and tourism to the state. For more information about New Hampshire tourism, call 603-271-2665 or visit www.visitnh.gov.
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