With the Memorial Day weekend kicking off the summer travel season, state and local tourism industry officials are anticipating more visitors this year than last, though spending may be down.

"This Memorial Day weekend, we expect more people to come, more day tripping," said Tai Freligh, spokesman for the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

"In other words, people will come for shorter stays but come more often," Freligh said, adding that he expects this trend to hold true throughout the summer.

According to Freligh, an estimated 530,000 visitors are expected to come to New Hampshire during this Memorial Day Weekend.

Those visitors are expected to spend $80 million, which is slightly down from last year's holiday weekend spending, Freligh said.

Mark Okrant, professor of tourism management and director of the Institute for New Hampshire Studies at Plymouth State University, said the 530,000 visitors expected this weekend are about one percent more than the number of visitors during last year's Memorial Day weekend.

The amount expected to be spent, $80 million, is down by three percent from a year ago.

The Institute for New Hampshire Studies does the research for the Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

Memorial Day weekend is the fourth busiest travel weekend in New Hampshire, Okrant said.

Daryl Carlson/Citizen photo Boats of all types, including sailboats, are out on Lake Winnipesaukee. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

"The lower cost of gasoline is anticipated to increase the number of day trips, but the number of overnight trips will likely be lower," Okrant said.

Okrant said resorts, hotels and motels will likely see a four percent decrease in the average occupancy rate for the weekend in comparison with last year.

"Many visitors will be staying with friends and relatives, staying at a campground, or will be opening up their summer cottages," Okrant said.

The activities visitors are mostly likely to participate in over the holiday weekend include scenic rides, outdoor recreation, attending Memorial Day events, shopping and visiting friends and relatives.

"It should be a relatively good weekend for the state's travel industry, provided the weather is not cloudy and wet," Okrant said.

Amy Landers, executive director of the Lakes Region Association, a nonprofit tourism marketing and promotional organization, said many member businesses, which include hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, reported a strong April, which is different from last year and the year before.

"Most of the Association's members are optimistic about the upcoming summer season," Landers said, adding that they are getting mixed responses about bookings to date, with some lodging and rental properties reporting their pre-bookings are up over last year at this time and others are reporting their pre-bookings are slightly down.

The most noticeable current travel trend in the Lakes Region is that people are booking their vacations later then ever before.

Landers said visitors are also coming for shorter stays, for an average of two to four weeks.

Visitors are also coming from closer to home, from either right here in New Hampshire or the surrounding New England and mid-Atlantic states.

One caveat to that is that in the Autumn, in recent years, the Lakes Region has seen an increase in international travelers.

Family travel is one of the only growing markets nationwide at this time, Landers said, including couples traveling with children and grandparents traveling with their grandchildren.

"Everyone is aware of the current trends and are positive about the season ahead," Landers said. "People are anxious now for warm weather to get out to enjoy the beautiful lakes and mountains and the many attractions."

Daryl Carlson/Citizen photo Vacationers get out to enjoy the sunny weather at Weirs beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

While enjoying Memorial Day weekend activities, Freligh said, residents and visitors alike can enter the Division's New Hampshire Dream Vacation Scavenger Hunt.

Freligh said the Division got the idea for the scavenger hunt because of the "trend of people staying closer to home."

"We've been encouraging people to stay here in New Hampshire and rediscover all things that are here for people to see and do," Freligh said. "We want to have people take a second look. When one lives here, it's easy to forget what's right in the back yard or to remember to take the time to visit places down the street."

He added that the state, though small in size, is geographically diverse — providing the perfect settings from the Seacoast to Lakes Region to the mountains for an interesting and varied photos.

The scavenger hunt was launched May 7 and lasts until mid-August, Freligh said.

People can participate in the hunt by visiting the website www.nhdreamvacation.com where they can see the rules, a list of locations and activities for the scavenger hunt and a link where participants can download and print a sign containing the Division's logo of "I Love It Here."

People who wish to participate in the scavenger hunt must have a picture taken of themselves holding the sign in front of at least three locations or activities listed on the website. The photos should then be uploaded to the website.

Freligh said people can enter more pictures and encourage friends and family to vote for their pictures.

A group of finalist photos will be chosen from those that receive the most votes and from there, a panel will select a grand prize winner.

The grand prize winner will receive a custom-designed, in-state vacation package worth up to $2,500.

Freligh said photos will be judged on quality and originality.

"The more creative the better," Freligh said.

Visitors looking for more information on New Hampshire's scenic spring drives and outdoor recreation should check out the state tourism website at www.visitnh.gov.