Summer time tourism trying good, however some COVID issues stay

March 15, 2021 Updated: March 15, 2021, 12:10 p.m.

CONCORD, NH (AP) – New Hampshire restaurant and lodging representatives said Monday they are optimistic for a strong spring and summer as COVID-19 vaccinations are available, but some issues remain.

“Both vacation rental and pre-booking, boat, canoe, kayak, and attraction ticket rentals have increased year over year,” said Amy Landers, executive director of the Lakes Region Tourism Association, during a hosted call from US Senator Jeanne Shaheen: “We encourage people, if you want to go to the lake region this summer, you’d better start planning now as everything will be sold out.”

According to Landers, some companies are still having problems, such as restaurants. She said one of the challenges in recent years, the search for workers, will increase.

“It will be the worst we’ve ever seen because we don’t have the international staff. I fear we will lose several companies because they have no employees, “she said.

Landers said there had been discussions about marketing to attract workers from other states, but there was a shortage of housing for them.

Shaheen said the Biden government is reassessing the policy to make it easier for Visa workers to come into the country for jobs.