Tourism marketing effort will focus on Maine's downtowns and local attractions

Photo / Courtesy of One Morning in Maine The Maine Downtown Center’s “community tourism” program includes a sail out of Rockland Harbor with a shore stop at a traditional boatbuilding workshop.

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By Laurie Schreiber

The development of tourism marketing strategies continues to unfold.

In recent years, strategies have included the Maine Office of Tourism debut of a “Destination Management Plan,” awards of marketing grants and updates to imagery and messaging designed to elevate Maine from being just a place to visit to being a place to experience.

“Experience” is all the buzz with the latest marketing campaign, this time focusing on activities specific to five downtown communities.

The Maine Downtown Center, a program of Maine Development Foundation, is spearheading the initiative with funding provided by a Maine Office of Tourism Marketing and Development Recovery Grant.

The “community tourism experiences” program launched this week.

The program is marketing activities such as river paddles, Main Street tours and wooden boat sailing in Biddeford, Gardiner, Rockland, Saco and Westbrook.

“This initiative enables historic downtowns to use tourism as a catalyst to improve people’s lives, protect their natural environments, and celebrate their culture,” said Anne Ball, the center’s senior program director.

It’s expected that the marketing will attract tourists and locals and help keep most of the proceeds in the community.

“People will be more likely to eat at restaurants, attend events, support the arts and shop in stores while in town,” Ball said.

Project planning was aided by Toronto-based Planeterra Foundation, a nonprofit tourism consultant that worked with the towns to design experiences that promote the culture and history of each community.

Examples

Below the Falls advertises a self-guided tour, along the Saco Riverwalk, that includes audio storytelling, historical photos, interactive quizzes and citizen science opportunities.

Biddeford Homecomings provides a guided tour along the town’s Main Street, with a focus on the stories of people who have contributed to its character.

Dusk to Dark offers a guided paddle on the Presumpscot River through downtown Westbrook.

Journey Through Wooden Boats offers a sail out of Rockland harbor aboard the ketch Morning in Maine, with a shore stop at a traditional boatbuilding workshop called the Apprenticeshop.

Voices of Gardiner: A Day Like Ours shares the stories of people with disabilities through a self-guided virtual tour.

“This experience uplifts the voices and talents of artists with developmental disabilities by positioning them as cultural creators and storytellers,” said Manon Whittlesey, co-lead for Voice of Gardiner and program manager at Spindleworks Gardiner. “At the same time, it strengthens Gardiner’s local economy by drawing attention to the unique businesses and individuals who shape the downtown.”

Proceeds will help fund programming at Spindleworks Gardiner, a program of the Independence Association in Brunswick, whose mission is to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities in obtaining full and inclusive lives in their chosen community.

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