Early bookings level to a lot busier summer time for Maine tourism

Kandi Sullivan, senior bartender at the Stripers Waterside Restaurant at the Breakwater Inn & Spa in Kennebunkport, carries dishes and glasses from one of the dough bars on the back deck of the restaurant on Friday night. Breakwater’s general manager anticipates business this summer to be the same or better than 2019, a historically strong year for Maine tourism. Gregory Rec / Staff Photographer

Memorial Day weekend is still months away, but the Maine tourism industry is preparing for a summer that many hope will settle on its way to recovering from the huge loss of jobs and income last year.

The Breakwater Inn & Spa in Kennebunkport is booked out for weddings and is now planning people for 2022 and beyond. Based on the number of guests the 35-room hotel already has on its books, General Manager Karl Whipple expects business to be the same or better than 2019, a historically strong year for Maine tourism.

“It’s very strong, which leads us to believe that travel is going to be very strong this year,” Whipple said. “Our phones are busy, people want to come. They are optimistic about the vaccine and the way things have opened up across the country. “

The state intends to lift many of the travel and occupancy restrictions that have kept tourism low over the past year. Campsites, hotels, tours and wedding venues are filling up. And many expect Maine’s open spaces and low COVID-19 rates to attract the throngs of summer visitors it traditionally welcomes.

“We know the industry is ready to welcome people with the procedures and protocols in place,” said Tony Cameron, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association. “It’s not like last year when we were faced with an unknown factor that no one had seen before. We also know Maine is in a good position – there’s plenty of outdoor recreation, people can easily socialize. With all of these things we are in a good place to welcome people back. “

In a recent poll, nearly 70 percent of association members were optimistic that Maine tourism would fare significantly better than last year and be gradually recovering. Almost a third of the 470 respondents said their spring and fall reservations were close to or on par with 2019 levels, while just over a third said reservations were only 25 to 76 percent last year.

“Everything that happens this year is most likely going to be better than last year, and travelers and consumers know what to expect,” said Cameron.

Some parts of Maine’s tourism industry, such as charter buses, group tours, cruise lines, concerts and other mass entertainment, are still uncertain or will not take place, he added.

“We’re definitely not there yet,” said Cameron. “It will be a recovery and it will take time.”

A BATTERY INDUSTRY

The coronavirus pandemic hit Maine’s mammoth summer tourism industry last year. Strict interstate travel rules held many travelers away by Julyand Massachusetts residents – a major tourist market – were Excluded from free entry until September. Hotels, restaurants and tour operators had to adapt to occupancy limits, improved cleaning systems and documents to confirm that guests were complying with the rules.

After years of steady growth, tourist visits to Maine fell 27 percent in 2020 – around 10 million fewer than the previous year. Direct tourism spending declined from $ 6.5 billion to $ 4.8 billion, while property sales fell 35 percent, according to the Maine Tourism Bureau.

This year it looks different. Governor Janet Mills announced this month that all New England residents and those who have recently had COVID-19 or are fully vaccinated will be exempt from testing and self-quarantine requirements. Until May 1, all US travelers are exempt from restrictions unless they are from a state with a high prevalence of COVID-19.

Under the new government guidelines, venues can hold larger gatherings until the end of May, with indoor spaces being 75 percent of their occupancy limit and outdoor spaces being 100 percent of their occupancy limit.

Rockport’s Samoset Resort saw a noticeable surge in reservations and inquiries after the governor eased restrictions, said general manager Connie Russell. This year is likely to be better than last, but it’s too early to say if it will match previous times.

“In any case, consumer confidence has improved,” said Russell. “Maybe it’s not as strong as 2019, but it’s a significant improvement.”

Many guests canceled or didn’t show up last summer because they were concerned about breaking Maine’s travel rules, he added.

“Last year it felt like if you got to Maine, and even if you met certain criteria, there were still COVID police around to harass you,” Russell said. “When the news broke that the restrictions were being lifted, there was a postponement. People have been waiting on hold to be vaccinated and areas to visit to ease restrictions. “

Some Portland tour operators feel the same way. After staying afloat last year, Explore Portland, a small tour company, is making calls, booking tours and feeling better in season, said owner Catherine Escamilla.

“We’ve been booking people for a month – it was stable, not like it was in 2019, but stable,” she said.

Many people ask what the company’s cancellation policy is, possibly concerned that COVID-19 could force them to cancel the trip.

“You can say that people are researching and trying to decide what to do this year,” said Escamilla.

Construction work on the new Canopy by Hilton on the corner of Center Street and Commercial Street in Portland, which was photographed on Monday, is in full swing. The Maine tourism industry is expecting a booming summer season this year after a disappointing 2020. Ben McCanna / Staff Photographer

RIDES, HOTELS, PARKS

Funtown-Splashtown USA, the state’s largest amusement park, is reopening this year after starting in 2020. General Manager Cory Hutchinson said the park did not know how to operate safely and meet its expenses with reduced guest capacity.

This year, Hutchinson is confident the park will be at full capacity with social distancing, sanitation, and an outdoor environment.

“We feel like we have a good environment. We had a year to learn from the open parks,” said Hutchinson. “The beaches and Old Orchard Beach have always been a draw – that’s what brings people here, and Funtown has become a traditional thing for families. When they are on vacation the park is absolutely one of the things they will do one day. “

Even hotels that are still under construction are booked. The Canopy Hilton on Portland’s Commercial Street is expected to open in May and already has guests making reservations for the summer, said Brandon Hussey, director of sales and marketing at developer Fathom Companies. Prices can go as high as $ 499 a night for a summer weekend, he said.

“It was really surprising to me how much stronger the summer was last year than people expected,” said Hussey. “That gave us hope that this summer will be really strong.”

Rented holiday homes, which had a booming year after a spring break last year, are filling up quickly.

Maine Seacoast Rentals booked nearly all 100 rental properties in the Biddeford area from June to September, according to agent Brianne Emhiser.

“I think my boss pulled the numbers – it’s our best season in three years based on how much we rented and how much money we raised,” said Emhiser.

Like last year, many guests want a place to themselves where they can hang out with family members or friends they haven’t seen before and limit regular interaction with strangers in a hotel lobby, elevator, or restaurant.

At the pace at which it is booked, Jean Knapp Rentals is on track to fill all 40 rentals for the season through April, said rentals manager Ana Ghita. That timeline corresponds to a normal year, she added.

The most common questions it answers are about local restrictions, such as: B. Whether the number of people who are allowed on the beach at the same time is limited – this is not the case. “I think everyone is tired and they need a break, they need the summer back,” said Ghita. “As long as everyone makes sure they adhere to CDC guidelines, we’re good to have a good summer.”

A 66 percent year-over-year increase in Maine State Park campground reservations shows the continued popularity of the outdoors. Outbound reservations are up 23 percent while in-state reservations are up a whopping 91 percent. The reservation increase is massive, but not surprising given that Maine State Parks had a record year in 2020said spokesman Jim Britt.

“Already popular campsites and day areas in Maine State Park just got stronger during the pandemic,” Britt said via email. “Maine is an outdoor destination and people long to go outside for the fresh air and sunshine, swim, hike, and explore more of Maine.”

Tops’l Farm, an upscale outdoor destination in Waldoboro, has already booked all group appointments, said owner Sarah Pike. The deal could easily be fully reserved this year, but Pike wanted to keep some dates open so travelers can book getaways when the reservation system goes online next week.

Despite loosening restrictions, Pike plans to barely change the farm’s virus logs from last year. The property offers guests what they want: a safe, quiet place in the woods.

“We’re working on a plan that would have been safe last season,” said Pike. “The challenge will be the collective fatigue with all of this, the extra effort it takes – and will – this season,” she added. “There are still safety protocols to adhere to (and) I actually think its season will require more care on our part and that of our guests.”

Although everything now points to a recovery in tourism by 2020, the state is planning an aggressive marketing campaign in markets from Virginia to the northeast beginning in April.

Matt Lewis, CEO of HospitalityMaine, the state-run restaurants and lodging group, believes the state cannot simply expect people to return for all of its attractive features.

“I don’t think we should rest on our laurels,” said Lewis. “We have to work on it to make sure we get this deal. I think we’re in a good position, but we don’t want to take this business for granted. “

Invalid username / password.

Please check your emails to confirm and complete your registration.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you’ve sent your account email, we’ll send an email with a reset code.

similar posts