Tourism and the Maine Economy

Economics & Demographics Program

Tourism and the Maine Economy

Tourism is one of Maine ’s largest and most important industries.

Every year, millions of people visit Maine ’s beaches, lakes, and mountains. The money they spend during their travels ripples throughout Maine ’s economy, generating jobs, income, and tax revenue. In 2006, an estimated 10 million overnight trips and 30 million day trips were taken in Maine . Travelers spent nearly $1 billion on lodging, $3 billion on food, and $1 billion on recreational activities.

To better understand the contribution of tourism to Maine ’s economy, the Office of Tourism asked the State Planning Office to conduct an “economic impact” assessment. “Economic impact” essentially refers to the amount of new money an industry adds to a state’s economy. It is not a measure of an industry’s total sales. “New money” means money that would not have entered the state’s economy but for the existence of the industry.

The State Planning Office found that the economic impact of tourism in Maine is huge. In 2006 it generated roughly $10 billion in sales of goods and services, 140,000 jobs, and $3 billion in earnings.

Click here for a Reference Guide to Tourism and the Maine Economy.

Click here to learn more about the Methodology for calculating tourism's economic impact.

Click here for the Reference Guide's Sources.