Woodstock, New Hampshire -- Attractions in New Hampshire's White Mountain are closing out their 2012 season, with many reporting a record setting year.
"After several years of visitors and businesses really watching their budgets, the 2012 season saw an increase in consumer confidence, which was further boosted by a summer of near-perfect weather," said Jayne O'Connor, president of White Mountains Attractions, the marketing association for the region.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway, which concludes its 143rd year when it closes for the season on Dec. 2, had record ridership, according to Catherine Bedor, one of the owners.
"The Cog is having a phenomenal season," she said. "As early as Columbus Day Weekend, we were ahead of 2011's total ridership numbers. Also, our group business is 25 percent ahead of last year."
The Cog's neighbor in Bretton Woods, the Omni Mount Washington Resort, also saw the number of guests soar, aided by free chairlift rides daily at the ski area. "This was one of our best summers ever," said Craig Clemmer, of the resort.
Domestic bus tours were strong throughout the foliage season, with arrivals from as far away as the midwest and Alaska. New regulations that eased duty free restrictions brought an influx of Canadian visitors to the region, especially to the outlet shopping centers in North Conway. Other international visitors also increased, with higher numbers noticed from The Netherlands, Israel, and many Asian countries this year.
"A record year like this pays dividends in years to come," O'Connor said. "It gives attraction owners confidence to renovate and expand, which will bring new visitors, provide jobs and allow them to continue being assets in their communities."
Several attractions remain open, including The Cog, the Conway Scenic Railroad and the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln. Santa's Village in Jefferson reopens Nov. 17 for the Christmas holiday.
"The number of guests for our 60th summer exceeded our expectations and, based on advanced ticket sales online and on reports from our lodging partners with package reservations, we're anticipating a bustling Christmastime celebration," said Bruce Hicks of Santa's Village. " We've already put up thousands of the Christmas lights that really transform the park in the dark, and we're busy developing a new feature synchronizing some of the lights to music to bring our light show up to the next level during the holiday season."
O'Connor said the attractions' participation in travel shows in Europe have established the region as a destination for European visitors, especially from The United Kingdom, France and Germany. "They enjoy this time of year and they have time to travel here," she said. "The White Mountains are also the place to go for people who enjoy paying a visit at this quiet time of the year."
White Mountains Attractions, founded in 1958, is the marketing association for the region, and its 16 major attractions, including Attitash Mountain Resort, Cannon Mountain, Clark’s Trading Post, the Conway Scenic Railroad, Flume Gorge, the Hobo Railroad, Loon Mountain, Lost River Gorge, Mount Washington Auto Road, the Mt. Washington Cog Railroad, Polar Caves, Santa’s Village, Six Gun City, Story Land, Whale’s Tale Water Park and Wildcat Mountain.
For more information, call 800-346-3687 or visit www.VisitWhiteMountains.com.
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