“With over 30 inches of snow on the ground, a few hours of warm weather is not a concern,” said Chris Farmer, the general manager of Saddleback Ski Area near Rangeley. Maine’s notorious, if not fickle, winter weather this year has given plenty of snow to some parts of the state dependent on winter tourism […]
tourism
Posted inLocal & State
Report: National Park Service visitors spent $8.5 million less in Maine in 2013
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — Visitors to Maine’s only national park are estimated to have generated $191.5 million for the state’s economy last year, according to the federal agency that runs the park. A new National Park Service report also indicates spending by visitors to Acadia and to the Saint Croix Island National Historic Site in […]
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Is Maine ‘China-ready’? Surge of Chinese tourists in US expected in next five years
PORTLAND — Chinese tourism to the U.S. is expected to explode in the next five years, and while Maine isn’t first on the newcomers’ itineraries, some forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the state are positioning themselves to capitalize on the influx. Capt. John Nicolai of Bar Harbor is among them. He’s learned to speak Mandarin for giving […]
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High-priced, under-the-radar rentals alter Maine’s lodging landscape
PORTLAND — With this week’s unofficial arrival of the summer tourism season, visitors to southern Maine have more lodging options than ever – including ones that some people consider illegal. Corey Saentz’ three-bedroom apartment on Munjoy Hill in Portland is ready for short-term renters, and is equipped with local works of art, kitchen tools, bedding […]
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, sj-web
Tourism outlook good, experts say
BELFAST — Every year on Memorial Day weekend, Maine’s coastal communities shake off the sleepiness of the long winter and spruce up for the arrival of the summer tourists, whose dollars help fill the coffers of local businesses and keep many Mainers employed. This year, despite the cooler-than-usual temperatures and an abundance of rain leading […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine House OKs contentious highway signs bill
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 […]
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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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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]