AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine House of Representatives has given the first nod to a bill that would remove or relocate dozens of informational signs along the state’s interstate highways. The Democratic-led House approved the bill 120-23 on Thursday. It faces further votes in both chambers. Supporters of the bill say removing signs for things […]
tourism
Posted inMaine
Cold gold: Early signs show frigid, snowy winter heated up Maine’s economy
Not too long ago, Ron Fournier walked out onto North Pond, drilled holes for a day of ice fishing and returned to find three of the tourists in his ice shack wearing life jackets. A fourth had one cradled on his lap. The ice was 32 inches thick, but, just in case. “They’d never been […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine unveils 5-year plan to promote tourism
Part of that strategy involves leveraging the help of actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey, also known as “McDreamy” from television’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as families reflecting Maine lifestyles and values. The Maine Office of Tourism rolled out its five-year plan — a blueprint and roadmap for the state’s tourism strategy — Wednesday during the […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Report shows Acadia National Park lost visitors, Maine lost $16 million in shutdown
BAR HARBOR — A report issued Monday by the National Park Service said Acadia National Park lost almost 200,000 visits and $16 million in visitor spending from the 16-day federal government shutdown in October 2013. Across the country, the report said, national parks experienced an overall decline of 7.8 million visitors compared with 2012. The […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Acadia tourism worth $201 million to Maine economy
BAR HARBOR — A study by the National Park Service says park visitors spent $201 million and supported 3,138 jobs in Maine in 2012. Mike Caldwell, the park service regional director, said Monday that the report shows that national park tourism is a significant economic driver — returning $10 for every $1 invested in the […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Rumford tourism promoter gets new FM radio station
RUMFORD — A River Valley tourism promoter announced Wednesday that it received approval from the Federal Communication Commission to operate a noncommercial, low-power FM radio station at 91.1. Run by the River Valley Community Association of Rumford, the 100-watt River Valley Community Radio station is part of an overall marketing push, association Director Kevin Saisi […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
New Portland-Nova Scotia ferry service expects to carry 100,000 passengers its first year
PORTLAND — Nova Star Cruises expects to carry 100,000 passengers its first year of offering ferry service between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, according to company officials who on Monday afternoon spoke for the first time in public about the new business venture. The ferry, which will be christened the Nova Star, is still in […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Destination Maine
They came, they saw and they ate seared marinated tofu and espresso-rubbed filet mignon. They were New York parents dropping kids off to summer camp and visitors just passing through — people generally from away stopping into the upscale Oxford House Inn on Main Street in Fryeburg. Its menu is heavy on local foods — […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine company loses state tourism marketing contract to out-of-state firm
An official from the Maine Office of Tourism said Tuesday that the decision to award a one-year, $700,000 public relations contract to a New York firm was made for practical reasons. Nancy Marshall Communications, an Augusta-based firm, has been doing public relations work for the state for the last 20 years. But beginning this week, […]