Fans of Web site get monthly discounts

Fans of Web site get monthly discounts

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire tourism department has started offering special deals to fans of its Facebook page.

More than 1,500 people have registered as fans of the VisitNH page on Facebook since it was created in late July. Starting this month, they’ll be rewarded with travel and tourism discounts.

The first deal is 50 percent off midweek accommodations at the Church Landing inn on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith.

The Division of Travel and Tourism Development has been using the page to post photos, videos and other information about the state.

Tourism downturn leads Bahamas resort to close

NASSAU, Bahamas — A Bahamian hotel operator has closed one of his resort properties as the recession slashes occupancy rates across the vast archipelago.

The 50-room Royal Palm Resort & Suites was closed in early November by hotelier Mario Donato, and guests with reservations were moved to the Xanadu Beach Resort & Marina on Grand Bahama Island, which Donato also owns, according to Xanadu spokeswoman Tiffany Anderson.

The closure comes as tourism struggles in the region.

Earlier this year, the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma in the Bahamas and the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa in Turks and Caicos both closed down.

Grandfather Mountain to be run by nonprofit

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. — A mainstay of western North Carolina tourism is making a transition from attraction to a portion of a foundation.

Grandfather Mountain has announced that the attraction famous for Mildred the Bear and the Mile High Swinging Bridge is now an arm of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

The park was originally a family-owned business. The late Hugh Morton opened it in 1952, and one of the most popular attractions was a black bear named Mildred who’d been adopted from a zoo. The park still has a wildlife habitat where visitors can see eight black bears.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest, and participate in educational and research activities.

All proceeds from the sale of attraction tickets and souvenirs will be reinvested in the mission of the foundation.

Associated Press