Memorial Day weekend kicks off Maine’s tourism season

Memorial Day weekend has started summer and many in the tourism industry are hoping to recover from last year

MAINE, USA – For many in the Maine tourism industry, Memorial Day’s title of “Unofficial Start to Summer” is even more exciting this year after tourism revenues declined 30 percent last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re back on track,” said Tony Cameron, CEO of Maine Tourism Associationsaid.

While data on how many people came to Maine this weekend won’t be available until later this week, Monday, Traffic was secured for nearly 25 miles on the Maine Turnpike from the New Hampshire border to Kennebunk.

Powerful shot from @ rick03907 shows the delays on the @MaineTurnpike – Don’t say the MTA didn’t warn you! @newscentermaine #Maine #Memorial day #MDW #Traffic #TrafficAlert https://t.co/4q1PQOMVgM

– Chris Costa (@ChrisCostaTV) May 31, 2021

Cameron said the turning point for the tourism industry was actually March when capacity constraints and travel restrictions were eased.

“Since then, we’ve seen reservations and interest rates rise exponentially,” he said.

Cameron added that it was impossible to make amends last summer, but many companies are hoping to at least match summer 2019 and provide visitors with a fun and safe vacation.

“I’m looking forward to a great summer and if people haven’t already planned their vacation, now is the time to do so because things fill up quickly,” he said.

Cameron said the Maine Tourism Association will receive numbers from the Maine Turnpike Authority this week on how many people have visited Maine that weekend, and his team will also speak to companies to see how their Memorial Day weekend was.