Midcoast Maine companies put together for tourism season with ‘cautious optimism’

A survey by the Maine Tourism Association found that 69% of responding companies are “optimistic” that tourism is much better this year than it was last year.

ROCKLAND, Maine – With a touch of warm weather in mid-March, Maine businesses are looking to the tourism season to come. There is hope for many that this year will be better than last year and will help offset some of the brutal effects of the pandemic.

Rockland’s Jocelyn Schmidt and Justin Schaefer have not yet experienced a summer season as business owners. In February, they officially signed papers to become the new owners of Schooner J&E Riggin, a 1927 oyster schooner that has entertained visitors for nearly a century. The couple say they talked about the purchase back in 2017 and saved enough money to make it happen by working on yachts in Florida.

“It’s pretty hard to describe the feeling of finally being able to do something that you’ve been working towards while we’ve been working towards it,” says Schmidt, the boat’s operations manager.

“They want to do justice to the boat and its legacy,” remarked Schäfer and also expressed his enthusiasm to become a captain – a dream he had as a child.

The weather this weekend was definitely fun for the summer! I visited Rockland and Camden today to see what businesses – including first-time schooner owners – are expecting based on previous reservations for tourism numbers. This story continues @ Newscentermaine at 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/H8Jv4yR5GM

– Chloe Teboe (@ChloeTeboe) March 21, 2021

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Next summer, the couple will be offering similar cruises to those offered in the past – this year only, mask regulations and more intensive cleaning protocols will be introduced. Schmidt says most of the people who made reservations at this point have received or will receive the COVID-19 vaccine previously. The ones who may not be ready to be tested.

“This is a boat that has been working for almost 100 years and that’s why we were determined to find a way to keep it going,” said Schmidt.

The couple say the reservation numbers “look good so far” – and they hope the season will be a successful one.

“We assume that there will be a pent-up demand,” explained Schäfer. “Everyone wants to get out and about and do something.”

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Fifteen minutes away in Camden, the manager of the hotels for the Bay View Collection is also optimistic about what the next few months will bring. He says he has seen more reservations from people across the country since Governor Janet Mills announced on March 5 that it would ease travel restrictions. The hope is that the Bay View Collection – which includes 16 Bay View, the Grand Harbor Inn, the Lord Camden Inn and a new hotel in Rockport – hits similar numbers to 2019.

“We’re really looking forward to more guests in our area,” said Levin, noting that two of these hotels did almost more business in March than in July 2020.

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A survey published this month by the Maine Tourism Association shows that 69% of responding companies are “optimistic” that tourism is “significantly” better this year than last year. 67% say they are optimistic that their business will recover this year, and 36% said their reservations so far are between 26% and 75% of the 2019 numbers.

“Overall, I think everyone expects things to get better,” Tony Cameron, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association, told NEWS CENTER Maine. Cameron also emphasized, “In order for Maine to recover, travel and tourism must recover.”

Tom Peaco, President and CEO of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, agrees, noting that many people “have a lot of confidence in a good year” for 2021.

“The feeling we get is that things are speeding up a little,” said Peaco. “I guess it’s not where anyone wants to see it yet – but I think the phone is starting to ring.”

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Cameron says bookings are on the rise. Now is the time to start planning your vacation and making reservations. This includes Mainers who want to get out this summer and explore their own backyards.