As summer approaches, Maine's tourism industry gets more optimistic
Courtesy / Maine Office of Tourism
Maine's tourism industry generally sees this spring and summer turning out better than in a pre-pandemic year. Shown here is Ogunquit Beach.
Maine tourism professionals expect the spring and summer seasons to be better than in pre-pandemic years, though hiring struggles and rising gas prices could pose challenges, according to a new survey by the Maine Tourism Association.
Of group members responding to the survey, 52% said they believe spring business running from April through June will be better than a normal year like 2019. That was up from a similar survey released in January when only 23% thought the spring would be better than 2019.
In the new survey, 29% said business would be equal to a normal year and only 18% think business will be worse.
Some 60% of respondents see this summer season as better than a pre-pandemic one, while 26% say it will be the same. Only 12% believe summer business will be worse than in 2019, the trade group said.
The Maine Tourism Association represents about 1,500 members. The survey reflected the views of nearly 150 respondents from across the state, with the majority from the beaches, the midcoast and islands, Down East and Acadia, the trade group said.
“I am very pleased to see that tourism businesses are predicting such a strong spring and summer season. I think all our members believe the demand is there from visitors … the challenge is in meeting that demand,” said Maine Tourism Association CEO Tony Cameron.
“There will be visitor money left on the table if our businesses can’t meet the demand due to staff and supply shortfalls. The optimism from our members that these shortfalls will have less of an impact than they were predicting just a few months ago is very encouraging."
Only 26% of the respondents said they planned to reduce hours or days of operation from what they would normally offer in spring. That ratio is down from over 50% who planned cuts when surveyed in January.
Of those who plan reductions, the reasons included not enough staff, predictions of less business due to high gas prices, less business predicted due to COVID, and supply chain challenges.
Members were also asked about their thoughts on hiring staff: 43% thought it would be the same as last year while 37% thought it would be more difficult. Only 9% thought it would be easier than last year.
The tourism association, founded in 1922, represents members from sectors including lodging, restaurants, camps, campgrounds, retail, outdoor recreation, guides, tour operators, amusements, transportation and cultural and historical attractions.
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