Business is booming once again in the White Mountains after two summers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.While staffing issues are still plaguing many businesses in the region, North Conway is expecting a busy summer with Memorial Day weekend off to a strong start.”This weekend has been very busy. We were close to full capacity — 136 rooms. This summer is looking to be another great summer, ” said Matt Lyman, general manager at Fox Ridge Resort. “We’re starting to see more and more people traveling from all over the country.”The Fox Ridge Resort in North Conway said they’re expecting a record-breaking summer, in part to more Canadian visitors now that the border has re-opened.But like many other businesses, they’re still dealing with issues caused by the pandemic.”Staffing has been an issue. That’s been the biggest issue,” Lyman said. “But we’ve made things work. My management team has been putting in extra hours. Our hourly staff has put in extra hours. Everybody has kind of stepped up.”Down the road at Gorham Ski and Bike, Tom Alberto said business has been steady.They’re hoping the influx of summer visitors will help them get on their feet after opening in the middle of the pandemic.”A lot of folks from the Greater Boston area come up for vacation — either experienced mountain bikers who want to get out of the city to mountain bike, or beginners who are interested in getting into it,” Alberto said. While the region still suffers from staffing shortages, there are more foreign workers in the area this year.“This year we have four, so it’s starting to get better as far as the J-1’s travel workers. And I only see that getting better as time goes on,” Alberto said. With the Red Jacket Resort being closed until Labor Day due to last month’s fire, many of the other hotels and motels in the region tell News 9 they are seeing more business, as people with reservations, there are now looking for lodging elsewhere and not canceling their trips.
CONWAY, N.H. —
Business is booming once again in the White Mountains after two summers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While staffing issues are still plaguing many businesses in the region, North Conway is expecting a busy summer with Memorial Day weekend off to a strong start.
“This weekend has been very busy. We were close to full capacity — 136 rooms. This summer is looking to be another great summer, ” said Matt Lyman, general manager at Fox Ridge Resort. “We’re starting to see more and more people traveling from all over the country.”
The Fox Ridge Resort in North Conway said they’re expecting a record-breaking summer, in part to more Canadian visitors now that the border has re-opened.
But like many other businesses, they’re still dealing with issues caused by the pandemic.
“Staffing has been an issue. That’s been the biggest issue,” Lyman said. “But we’ve made things work. My management team has been putting in extra hours. Our hourly staff has put in extra hours. Everybody has kind of stepped up.”
Down the road at Gorham Ski and Bike, Tom Alberto said business has been steady.
They’re hoping the influx of summer visitors will help them get on their feet after opening in the middle of the pandemic.
“A lot of folks from the Greater Boston area come up for vacation — either experienced mountain bikers who want to get out of the city to mountain bike, or beginners who are interested in getting into it,” Alberto said.
While the region still suffers from staffing shortages, there are more foreign workers in the area this year.
“This year we have four, so it’s starting to get better as far as the J-1’s travel workers. And I only see that getting better as time goes on,” Alberto said.
With the Red Jacket Resort being closed until Labor Day due to last month’s fire, many of the other hotels and motels in the region tell News 9 they are seeing more business, as people with reservations, there are now looking for lodging elsewhere and not canceling their trips.