Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce

Tourism Committee

Mission Statement: To promote, develop and coordinate year-round tourism/visitation to the Seacoast area, and create an awareness and understanding of tourism's effect on, and enhancement of, the local economy and residents' quality of life.

Did you know? Tourism is the #2 industry in the state of New Hampshire, and the #1 industry in the state of Maine.

Did you know? The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce works in partnership with the City of Portsmouth Economic Development Commission and the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development to promote year-round visitation to Portsmouth and the Seacoast.

Did you know? The Chamber operates a year-round visitor information center at 500 Market Street, and a seasonal Market Square info kiosk (May-October). We have a staff of 20+ volunteers, Visitor Assistants and Tour Guides who greet visitors, refer your businesses, and lead our Portsmouth Harbour Trail guided tours.

2008 Projects:

See "The tourism imperative: Marketing Portsmouth the No. 1 task of new Chamber employee" -Portsmouth Herald
Attended American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace
Exhibited at Boston Globe Travel Show
Hosted "A Taste of Tourism" Summit, Chamber's 7th annual summit
- (See "Culinary tourism's the buzz at Portsmouth summit" -Portsmouth Herald)
Participated in New England Sales Mission to Canada
Attended Discover New England Summit & International Marketplace
Attended New Hampshire Governor's Conference on Tourism
Welcomed ACCL cruise line, and the Tall Ships
Authored NH state Joint Promotional Program (JPP) matching-grant request; secured funding for ongoing destination marketing efforts
Volunteered at The Big E (Eastern States Exposition)
Promoted Commissioning of the USS New Hampshire submarine, Scarecrows of the Port, Restaurant Week Portsmouth, NH Film Festival, "Vintage Christmas," and other large-scale tourism events
Nicki named to NH Travel Council Board of Directors
And much more

2009 Initiatives:

Portsmouth named to National Geographic Traveler's list of the globe's 'Historic Places' - #26 in the world, #6 in the U.S.
Hosted Jonathan Tourtellot, Director of the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations and Geotourism editor for Chamber Breakfast Forum, January
- (See "Portsmouth is among world's best for 'geotourism'" -Portsmouth Herald)
Attended American Bus Association Marketplace, January
Sponsored & exhibited at Boston Globe Travel Show, February
Attended Toronto Golf & Travel Show, March
Organized & promoted Restaurant Week Portsmouth, March and November
Attended Discover New England International Summit, April
Attended NH Governor's Conference on Tourism in Waterville Valley, May - and presented next year's destination: Portsmouth! (May 5-7, 2010)
- (See "Tourism conference can be great boon for city" -Portsmouth Herald)
Launched new Chamber website, October
Sponsoring & helping promote "Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth" and First Night

2010 Initiaves:

Produce 2010 Guide to the Seacoast (for advertising information, click here)
American Bus Association Marketplace, destination marketing rep, January
Boston Globe Travel Show, exhibitor & sponsor, February 19-21
Restaurant Week Portsmouth, March 26-April 3 ... and again in November!
Discover New England International Summit, April
NH Governor's Conference on Tourism, May 5-7, Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel

On-going:

PR campaign, highlighting Portsmouth as a culinary and cultural destination
Coordinate visitor information center, Market Square info kiosk, and Portsmouth Harbour Trail guided tours
Produce destination marketing collateral (incl. Seacoast Guide, seasonal event Rack Cards & eNews, Portsmouth Harbour Trail brochure); distribute throughout Seacoast, Greater Boston, Canada, and mail in response to thousands of visitor inquiries annually.
Website content enhancements to better serve potential visitors
Field media inquiries; host travel writer / tour operator "fam"s
Report quarterly to City of Portsmouth Economic Development Commission on tourism trends, statistics, indicators

Meeting time: 8-9am the first Wednesday of every month in the Chamber conference room

Members of the local tourism and hospitality industry are welcome to attend.

Committee Contacts:

Amy Moy: Strawbery Banke Museum - Co-chair
Damien Callahan, The Port Inn - Co-chair
Michelle Herman: Sheraton Harborside - Past co-chair
Kathleen Soldati: The Music Hall - Past co-chair
Jay McSharry: Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe - Chamber Board member
Bruce Jewett: Double-0 Marketing (designs rack cards, eNews, ads)
Nancy Carmer: City of Portsmouth, Economic Development: http://cityofportsmouth.com/economic/index.htm