Other Promotional and Development Activities

The number of visitors in New Hampshire from Europe is continuing to increase, both for skiing and during the summer and fall seasons. These visitors are seeking a variety of activities and settings while they are here. The initiative to attract these visitors should rest with individual

lodging properties as most European visitors arrive on packaged tours. Lodging operators in the greater Ossipee area should meet with ski area and attractions operators in the Mt. Washington Valley and the Lakes Region to establish these packages with European based tour operators. Such packaged tours are very profitable for lodging operators and provide spin-off benefits to other businesses located nearby. The role of the Chamber should be one of encouragement and the provision of information about the region which can be used by the tour operators. Over and above these observations, several other activities and concepts listed below should be considered.

Conclusions and Recommended Actions

On the basis of the survey of visitors to the study area and additional research regarding tourism within the region and the state, Northern Economic Planners recommends that the following actions be taken by the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce, private sector entities, and governmental bodies.

The Chamber should consider creating a new name for this six town area which reflects the local area's image, its natural heritage and its human history/culture. Because of the Native American image, the new name should probably continue to include the word "Ossipee."

Tourism is more seasonal and camping oriented than state-wide. There is virtually no business travel and conferences within the study area. Encourage multi-season use of tourist facilities by attracting business meetings and conferences.

Tourism parties are almost exclusively family groups (both with and without children). They use the Ossipee area as an overnight "hub" and for rest and relaxation and water-based recreation. They take day trips to other areas for shopping, attractions, events and cultural activities. Efforts should be made to keep these tourists already in the area to take fewer day trips to other places.

At least one new annual festival should be held in the six town area during the fall, winter and spring seasons and at least one new family oriented attraction which reflects the area should be created.

Current visitors to the region should be encouraged to return at other seasons of the year. Local residents should be encouraged to invite friends and relatives to visit the area. Set a goal of a two percent annual increase in the number of visitors, with this new growth primarily in the winter and spring.

A visitor information center or kiosk should be set up on Route 16 between North Wakefield and the Route 28 intersection in cooperation with the NHDOT and the Lakes Region Association.

Increase the number of walking, bicycling and cross country trails in the six town area. Support for existing snowmobile clubs and trails should continue as one of the strongest elements of winter tourism in the area. Existing cross country areas should be enlarged or a new cross country area with 15 to 25 miles of networked trails should be established.

There should be much stronger ties between retail stores and area manufacturers and crafts people. Retail opportunities include furniture, housewares and antiques.

The current owners of the Mt. Whittier facility are not ready to agree to a future plan of action for that mountain. Until they achieve consensus as to what to do, not much will happen there except for possible logging and mining activities. The Mt. Whittier site fronting Route 25 could become a small, multi-season mountain side recreation area, but probably not a large ski area or tourist attraction.

A new, four-color tourism brochure should focus on what there is to do and see in the area during all four seasons of the year. It should also include specific information on overnight accommodations and major events, but only generic descriptions on restaurants, shopping, attractions and activities. The more detailed information and ads for the latter are better provided through a one-color directory distributed in the immediate area.

The Chamber should encourage local resorts and country inns to establish packaged tours for Europeans.

There should be much stronger ties between retail stores and area manufacturers and crafts people. Opportunities for growth in retailing include furniture, housewares, and antiques.

Retail stores should be encouraged in a "village shops" environment. New strip malls and shopping areas should be discouraged, with stronger curb cut controls and landscaping and signage requirements. New stores should be next to (or in) existing shopping areas. It will probably be necessary to modify local zoning ordinances and site plan review regulations to encourage this traditional village form of development, rather than strip mall development, to occur.

The Native American heritage of the area should be featured through attractions, craft stores, and possibly a museum.