Maine tourism experts say bookings have increased and many companies are optimistic for a strong travel season.

Easing restrictions on outdoor masking and entry into Maine, as well as increasing vaccination rates, have given the tourism industry a much-needed boost after a 2020 season of 27% fewer visitors.

Lynn Tillotson, President and CEO of Visit Portlandsaid Governor Janet MillsThe announcement earlier this year that some restrictions would be relaxed has resulted in a significant increase in bookings.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say that once the governor announced plans to reopen and until May 1st, anyone in the US can come to Maine without quarantine or testing, which really makes a difference. “She said,” The moment that was announced, the phones rang. “

Matt Lewis, President and CEO of HospitalityMaineagreed, but stated that people were interested in traveling to Maine even before restrictions were relaxed.

“We heard Maine would be busy this summer before the governor eased restrictions and vaccines (which were widely available). … (In) March, April, we received calls in our offices from people who didn’t say, “Can I come?” But “when I come, do I have to do that?” So there was no question of whether they would still come, they had already decided that they would come. “

According to a survey distributed by the Maine Tourism Association last week, more than a fifth of 155 respondents expect business to be better on Memorial Day weekend than it would in a normal year. Almost half responded that the business will make up at least 75% of a normal year.

“The bookings look relatively strong. The travel dates are really encouraging. ” Tony Cameron, CEO the Maine Tourism Association said. “We know that Americans want to travel and that they have plans, especially a lot of plans within the next three months. These are all really, really encouraging signs. “

Tillotson said many hotels in the Portland area are currently on a trend similar to 2019, which was “one of the best years we’ve seen in a long time”.

Kathy Dyer, Managing director of Maine Campground Owners Association, said 2021 could potentially be a record season for Maine’s campsites.

The state park campsites usually fill up “very well, very quickly,” Dyer said. But with a growing interest in outdoor recreation, many campsites across the state are seeing increased interest. Some are already fully booked with waiting lists.

“It is absolutely right that campsites, I believe, are well on their way to possibly having the best season ever,” said Dyer.

The campsite association prints 160,000 copies of the Maine Camping Guide each year. Usually this is enough to last through September, Dyer said. As of last week, there were only 20,000 copies of the 2021 edition left. She expects to go out by July.

“The demand for (the publication) has been phenomenal,” she said. “It’s a pretty good indication that people are looking for something outdoors. It’s not just camping, it’s everything to get outdoors with your family: hiking, biking, swimming, as you call it. “

The Portland International Jetport is also planning more trips this summer. Six airlines have added 10 additional nonstop destinations and an additional 15 flights, according to Tillotson.

In 2019, 10% of vacationers came to Maine by air, according to data Maine Tourist Office Statistics.

“We know that out of all the industry trends we observe, the leisure traveler will return first. The vacationers are families and couples, and things like that, ”Tillotson said.

Some of these experts say that certain regions may do better than others.

“A lot of our more touristy areas like Southern Maine, the Mid-Coast and (and) Bar Harbor expect very busy summers, possibly record summers,” said Lewis. “But I think the message I would put out there is that there are still parts of Maine that aren’t.”

Industry experts are optimistic about a successful season, but there are still some uncertainties that can affect the income and visits generated by tourism.

According to statistics from the Maine Office of Tourism, Canadian citizens accounted for 17% of all overnight guests and nearly a fifth of all retail tourism spending in 2019.

In April officials announced that the non-essential travel ban on the US-Canada border would be extended to at least May 21. The reopening date has been postponed several times since it was first implemented in March 2020.

Extending the travel restriction further may result in fewer visitors, especially at popular coastal destinations like Old Orchard Beach.

“(Old Orchard Beach) was badly hit last year for many reasons,” said Dyer. “One of the reasons is that Canadians haven’t closed the Canadian border yet.”

In addition, experts say the staff shortage exacerbated by the pandemic may result in some companies not having enough staff to reach full capacity or, in some cases, serving guests to their ideal standards.

“(Staff shortages will) be a big part of not just leaving much-needed revenue on the table, but we want to make sure people have a good experience,” said Cameron.

The labor shortage is nothing new to the Maine tourism industry, and many companies across the country have found it difficult to hire for the summer.

“It was an ongoing (problem),” said Lewis. “I think it’s definitely amplified by what is happening right now. It’s just another factor in the storm we’re dealing with. “

Capacity limits will also be a challenge for companies. Currently, the Maine indoor collection capacity is set at 50%. By May 24, the restriction is to be increased to 75% of the permissible occupancy.

In restaurants, tables must still be at least 3 m apart, regardless of the permitted capacity.

“We know that capacity limits will certainly have an impact on restaurants. They will affect theaters, group tours, cruise ships, festivals and fairs, concerts, many of these things are still very limited. And there are a lot of things that are still unknown, ”said Cameron.

“As long as there are capacity constraints and social distancing protocols in place … if those constraints are not relaxed, it will limit business and business. That’s just the fact, it will certainly limit business, ”he added.

This season’s success is vital for many Maine businesses, including some that didn’t even open in 2020. Tillotson said this season could be a hit for many small businesses that rely on tourists.

“(Small businesses) can’t go another season without strong income … If COVID taught us anything in Maine, it is that our state and our small businesses are heavily dependent on the visitor industry,” she said. “We need them to keep these small businesses open all year round.”