May 22, 2023
(AUGUSTA, Maine) A busy year for the tourism industry in Maine is expected as early indicators show demand for travel will continue to be strong in 2023.
“Overall travel demand is still near record territory – 91% of American travelers report that they plan to take a trip in the next six months,” said Hannah Collins, deputy director of the Maine Office of Tourism.
“While higher travel costs are weighing on some traveler’s decisions, US Travel Association data show that leisure spending is still high on the list of priorities for consumers.”
HospitalityMaine has heard from their members that lodging properties are seeing more early spring visitors this year. While advance summer bookings are down slightly from 2022, many restaurants and hotels are seeing this coming season as a return to a more “normal” busy season compared to the demand surge in 2022, according to Becky Jacobson, HospitalityMaine’s interim executive director.
In summer 2022, Maine Office of Tourism visitor research reported a 76.5% occupancy rate for hotels and a 67.6% occupancy rate for lodging overall between May and August, a 5.3% increase over the same period in 2021.
“Maine campgrounds are experiencing a great flow of advance bookings, with many saying the holiday weeks and weekends are already full. Reservations are strong and all signs are pointing to another banner camping season,” said Kathy Dyer, executive director of the Maine Campgrounds Owners Association. “The first big weekend for campgrounds is typically Memorial Weekend, but in 2023 most are opening earlier in the month,” Dyer added.
The Maine Office of Tourism marketing strategy is built around raising awareness and consideration of travel to Maine during all the various travel seasons, with an always-on, multi-channel paid media campaign. Promotions for travel during the summer season began in April and will extend through mid-August.
With the workforce shortage continuing to challenge the tourism industry, the Maine Office of Tourism has also launched a campaign to inspire interest in the diversity of jobs offered by the tourism industry and to help meet the immediate need to fill open hospitality positions in Maine this summer. All campaign efforts drive people to visitmaine.com/jobs for an overview of Maine’s tourism/hospitality industry and links to job boards including:
- Maine Tourism Job Board
- Maine JobLink
- Indeed (pre-filtered for hospitality jobs in Maine)
For more information and ideas on ways to enjoy Maine this summer and throughout the year, go to www.visitmaine.com.