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Tourism & Recreation

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Feds award $2.5M to BigRock Mountain for new chairlift

Laurie Schreiber August 18, 2022

The existing lift is over 50 years old. The new lift will feature technology such as a touchscreen interface that eases system operations and maintenance. 

  • A new insurance law could help a growing number of tourism-based farms

    May 28, 2012

    When Wendy Sheriff and her husband, Mark, went looking for a lifestyle change six years ago, they moved from Massachusetts to St. Albans and bought a farm.

    May 28, 2012

  • Training for the hospitality industry gets a boost from three institutions

    Matt Dodge May 28, 2012

    Consistently rated as the largest service sector industry worldwide, tourism is an especially important economic driver in Maine where miles of coastline and natural wonders draw those "from away" to the state.

    Matt Dodge May 28, 2012

  • Online hotel reviews: Are they a distraction or a valuable tool?

    Gerard Kiladjian General Manager, Portland Harbor Hotel May 28, 2012

    When I had my first experience with online reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp, it took me back to my younger years. It felt like when I had done something wrong as a child, and someone told on me.

    Gerard Kiladjian General Manager, Portland Harbor Hotel May 28, 2012

  • Bargains, exchange rates drive Canadians to Maine to shop and stay

    May 28, 2012

    Late last October, James Gerety, general manager of the Bangor Mall, was driving on Bangor Mall Boulevard after leaving work, when he witnessed a Kodak moment: a sports utility vehicle with New Brunswick license plates chock full of shopping bags.

    May 28, 2012

  • Grant helps fund $1M Sugarloaf snow-gun upgrade

    May 23, 2012

    Sugarloaf ski resort in Carrabassett Valley has received a $300,000 grant from Efficiency Maine to help it purchase 300 high-efficiency snow guns. The entire project will cost $1 million, and Sugarloaf will foot the remainder.

    May 23, 2012

  • Plum Creek conservation plan finalized

    May 16, 2012

    A conservation easement of 363,000 acres near Greenville owned by Plum Creek Timber Co. has been finalized. It's one of the largest conservation easements in the country.

    May 16, 2012

  • Six companies honored for manufacturing, service work

    May 15, 2012

    Gov. Paul LePage yesterday presented six Maine companies with a 2012 Governor's Award for Business Excellence.

    May 15, 2012

  • Regency Hotel seeks 'luxury' market with $2.8M renovation

    Matt Dodge May 8, 2012

    The Portland Regency Hotel will unveil a $2.8 million renovation this month, complete with a new roof, renovated rooms, suites and the addition of balconies to the building's fourth floor.

    Matt Dodge May 8, 2012

  • Central Maine ice arena to open June 1

    April 26, 2012

    A new ice rink under construction in Hallowell to replace one that collapsed last year is set to open in June. Construction on the rink began more than two months ago.

    April 26, 2012

  • Oxford Casino gets state license

    April 18, 2012

    The Maine Gambling Control Board yesterday approved a license for the Oxford Casino, one of the last steps before the casino can open later this year.

    April 18, 2012

  • Fleet of bike taxis coming to Portland

    Matt Dodge April 10, 2012

    Portland's streets are about to become a little bit greener as a national bike taxi company prepares to put the rubber to the road. Boston Pedicab has brought its bright green bike taxis to a handful of other U.S.

    Matt Dodge April 10, 2012

  • New measure to help agritourism industry

    April 10, 2012

    Gov. Paul LePage yesterday signed a bill that aims to reduce liability for agricultural operations that host activities for the public.

    April 10, 2012

  • Best Western to be built at Auburn's Kittyhawk Park

    Bob Mentzinger April 2, 2012

    A Best Western hotel and restaurant will rise along the Maine Turnpike in Auburn this spring. The hotel development is part of an eight-lot, 35-acre development at the Kittyhawk Business Park.

    Bob Mentzinger April 2, 2012

  • Down East conservation effort nets $1M

    March 28, 2012

    The federal government has awarded three conservation groups $1 million to protect more than 2,700 acres on the Blue Hill peninsula.

    March 28, 2012

  • The Samoset Resort reopens with a $4M upgrade and an eye toward niche markets

    Bob Mentzinger March 19, 2012

    The Samoset Resort is unwrapping $4 million in improvements aimed at returning the venerable midcoast resort to full-season operation after a bruising Great Recession sent Maine's hospitality industry reeling.

    Bob Mentzinger March 19, 2012

  • Bill would use gambling money to help dairy farmers

    March 16, 2012

    A bill recently approved by a legislative committee would funnel revenues from the Oxford Casino to a loan program to aid the state's dairy farmers.

    March 16, 2012

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Today's Poll

Does cruise ship season help your business?
Poll Description

Sponsored by Kennebunk Savings Bank

Maine's cruise ship season is in full swing, running from late September through early November. Thousands of passengers are expected to visit Portland, Bar Harbor, Eastport or Rockland.

This week alone, Portland is set to welcome around 16,000 cruise ship passengers.

But as the season ramps up, it's bringing mixed reviews. Some locals brace for the crowds and many business owners say cruise ship visitors don't spend much while in the port. Other business owners argue that, even if cruise ships don't benefit their own coffers, they still benefit the overall economy.

When we asked this question in 2023, Mainebiz respondents, 21% said the visits bring customers and revenue, while only 18% said the visits don't help their business.

More than half of the respondents, 53%, said cruise ships benefit the overall economy.

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