TOURISM

Tourism in Coos County is growing at a faster rate than any other region of New Hampshire. This is crucial to the economic vitality of our region, and we must keep the North Country vibrant and bring more visitors to Coos County. More tourism provides direct benefits to your business and, in turn, will help all businesses in Coos County succeed.

New Hampshire Grand

As the official visitor information source for New Hampshire’s Grand North, New Hampshire Grand is implementing a marketing and communications program reaching out to key target markets to promote Coos County to potential visitors. This outreach effort includes introducing visitors to the diverse range of lodging, dining, events, and outdoor activities available in Northern New Hampshire.

Launched in 2009, New Hampshire Grand has successfully created the County’s first tourism website, www.nhgrand.com; initiated a comprehensive advertising and public relations campaign; built a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; designed and distributed 140,000 brochures in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Canada focusing on “Best of,” Adventures, and Lodging options available in the region. These marketing efforts have helped increase rooms and meals tax revenue in Coos County by 8% since 2008.

We need ongoing financial investment from the Coos County business, economic development, and tourism communities to sustain our marketing efforts into the future. In December 2011, Northern Community Investment Corporation (NCIC) received a $35,000 challenge grant from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

New Hampshire Grand is reaching out to the Coos County tourism industry, businesses and economic development organizations to invest in ongoing marketing efforts. If you are interested in making an investment to increase tourism promotion for northern New Hampshire, please contact us at nhgrand@ncic.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Are there any measurable economic results from this program?
A: In 2010, Coos County enjoyed the largest percentage increase in rooms and meals tax revenue than any other region of the state. The nhgrand.com website has experienced regularly increasing numbers of visitors to the site. In addition, our public relations efforts yielded stories about New Hampshire’s Grand North including articles in in the Boston Globe, New York Times and several regional travel magazines, reaching more than a million readers in all. None of this coverage would have occurred without the efforts of the NH Grand team.

Q: What are the direct benefits to businesses?
A: Businesses who are participating in this marketing program have indicated a growing number of ‘new faces’ through their doors. The annual North Country Tourism Conference, now in its third year, provides a great opportunity to learn about new marketing techniques, ask the speakers questions and network with more than 150 participants.  Each year, new marketing initiatives are undertaken. Click here for ways your company can participate - some at no charge to you!

Q: Who’s involved in the leadership of this effort?
A: Moving into its third year, NH Grand has shifted its focus from infrastructure development to pure marketing. As a result, there is a NH Grand Tourism Development Team made up of representatives from each Chamber, large and small businesses, NCIC marketing staff and a group of marketing professionals - experts on web development, advertising, public relations and copywriting - all working to heighten the visibility of New Hampshire’s Grand North!

Q: How is this effort funded?
A: Good question.  We have been fortunate to have support from the Neil & Louise Tillotson Fund, NCIC grants and the Joint Promotional Program through the State of New Hampshire.  Additionally, to get this program jump started, several key businesses lent financial and in-kind support.

Q: How will this effort be sustained?
A: Another good question.  This effort will be sustained to the extent that the tourism industry in Coos County is willing to participate - at whatever level they are able. To learn about the benefits to your business and ways and levels at which you can participate, click here.