Fall sees the largest number of out-of-state visitors on group tours in New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development. The division announced that it expects 7.8 million visitors, 2 percent more than last year and the industry projects tourist spending of over $1 billion, an increase of 3 percent from last year. These numbers, from the Institute for New Hampshire Studies, take into account weather forecasts and spending patterns. The leaf peeping season generally runs from September to November. Upper Valley leaf peepers typically hail from Canada or New England, with many opting to travel in groups, tourism division communications manager Tai Freligh said. Hanover typically sees a spike in business during this season, and this year local hotels have been sold out and restaurants and businesses have been packed. The division's expectations for the number of visiting leaf peepers have been consistent with forecasts.
Hanover Inn general manager Joe Mellia said hotel traffic has increased since the beginning of the leaf peeping season in September.
"We have noticed a greater influx of visitors utilizing our Hanover Inn and our restaurant, Pine," Mellia said.
This year's colorful leaves and pleasant weather have contributed to the season's success.
"October is the most beautiful month," writing professor Nancy Crumbine said. "It's the end of summer and the beginning of seasonal change. Nothing is like October light. People say they come for the leaves, but they're really coming for the light through the leaves. It's very special, exquisite."
Columbus Day usually marks the prime foliage weekend for leaf peepers, with this year's holiday bringing in a record-breaking 625,000 visitors to New Hampshire.
The weekend's fairs, festivals and farmers' markets, in addition to the appeal of picking fresh fall fruit, made it an ideal time to visit.
The tourists flooding New England in search of Kodak-worthy natural scenery bring an influx of business not only to Hanover, but to the rest of the Upper Valley as well. Leaf peeping excursions such as Tauck World Discovery's "Grand New England" tour can cost more than $4,000, with local hotels and restaurants sharing the windfall.
Canoe Club owner John Chapin said the restaurant does not experience a considerable impact from visiting leaf peepers relative to the larger bump over Homecoming and Columbus Day weekend.
Since 2010, Yankee Magazine has ranked Hanover among the "top 25 foliage towns." According to the New England Foliage Map, Hanover's leaves reached their peak this past week and are now fading in vibrancy.
Studies from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center indicate that global warming has pushed back changes in leaf color every year.
"This has been a very warm October," Crumbine said, adding that she misses the clarity of the air and the "lifted humidity" accompanied by colder weather.
Last year, the tourism division released a foliage tracker app. Current foliage pictures are also posted daily to the division's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest accounts.
The Hanover Inn hosts private group and bus tours for those interested in exploring the Upper Valley's foliage.
