05.27.2010
Memorial Day means Open for the Season in White Mountains
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jayne O'Connor
White Mountains Attractions Association
603-745-8720
jayne@visitwhitemountains.com
NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. - A forecast for sunny skies on the upcoming Memorial Day weekend is kicking off the summer season in the White Mountains, where visitors will find a host of new attractions at the region's tourism venues.
"Memorial Day really sets the tone for the summer," said Jayne O'Connor, president of White Mountains Attractions in North Woodstock, which markets the White Mountains region. "Fine weather, which we are expecting this holiday weekend, sets the stage for the summer to come."
By the end of the summer season, O'Connor said, the region expects that about 8 million people from around the world will have paid a visit to the White Mountains.
"Requests for vacation information from the White Mountains Attractions' website are up 21 percent over last year, an indication that after the challenging economic times of the past few years that people are ready to get away for a vacation," O'Connor said.
That desire to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of the region could be seen earlier this spring, even before the attractions opened for the season.
"On most weekends, the weather was really spectacular and we noticed there were a lot more people coming up here to enjoy our natural attractions," O'Connor said.
Aside from an April snowstorm more than a month ago, a mild spring has also helped people to get into a vacation mood.
"Polar Caves in Rumney, for example, had its earliest opening ever in mid-April, which was just in time for the April vacation," she said. "The Mount Washington Auto Road opened to the summit earlier this month and there are some years when that doesn't happen until Memorial Day."
International visits are expected to continue to be strong this year, as the exchange rate remains in their favor, she said.
White Mountains Attractions, founded in 1958, is the marketing association for the region, and its 16 major attractions, including Attitash, Cannon Mountain, Clark’s Trading Post, the Cog Railroad, the Conway Scenic Railroad, Flume Gorge, the Hobo Railroad, Loon Mountain, Lost River Gorge, Mount Washington Auto Road, Polar Caves, Santa’s Village, Six Gun City, Story Land, Whale’s Tale and Wildcat Mountain.
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