Arrival Of Cruise Ships Could Boost Tourism Figures In Maine

BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — The arrival of the first large cruise ship in two-and-a-half years in Maine is another signal that tourism is getting closer to pre-pandemic normalcy.

Last year, more than 15.6 million visitors came to Maine in 2021, a third more than made the trip the year before, at the start of the pandemic, officials said.

But there were no large cruise ships until the arrival of the Norwegian Pearl in the waters off Bar Harbor. The ship dropped anchor in Frenchman Bay, and visitors were ferried to shore on tenders.

“It’s exciting to see these ships and their passengers coming back to Maine,” said Sarah Flink, executive director of CruiseMaine.

Cruise ships could restore some visitation. The number of visitors last year remained about a million below 2019, before the pandemic. Cruise ships made 409 port calls and brought 450,000 passengers in 2019.

One positive sign from the 2021 tourism numbers is that spending soared. Spending grew 63.7% from 2020 and 20.3% from 2019.

This Coming Weekend Is Best For Viewing The Fall Tapestry Of Color In Maine

Fall Foliage Report Week 4

From Fort Kent in the north down through Bangor in the central part of the state, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is now reporting peak leaf color with low leaf drop of less than 30%.

 

“The colors of fall are reflecting off the water throughout Moosehead Lake in Greenville (Zone 5) as the foliage is approaching peak conditions this weekend,” according to Gale Ross, Fall Foliage spokesperson.  “Forest rangers are reporting that the maples throughout Maine are casting fiery red colors in central and western Maine as well, with low (30%) leaf drop,” Ross noted.

 

Maine’s official foliage website www.mainefoliage.com provides weekly reports by e-mail and an opportunity to share photos of favorite spots in Maine to watch the leaves turn color.

 

This upcoming weekend the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands is offering ranger-led fall foliage hikes at Mount Blue State Park in Weld and Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal.  www.maine.gov/dacf/fallfoliagehikes.  

 

In addition to viewing the spectacular fall foliage, there is a lot to do in Maine this weekend.

Enjoy wagon rides, making homemade cedar shakes, fresh cider and more on October 4 and 5 as part of Living History Days in Bradley. www.leonardsmills.com.

 

Travel to Freeport this weekend for the 16^th Annual Fall in the Village Art & Music Festival at the LL Bean Discovery Park.  View the works of talented artists and artisans while enjoying great live music, refreshments and more. www.freeportusa.com.

 

Enjoy the foliage while visiting the galleries of downtown Bar Harbor.  On October 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Art Walk Bar Harbor will include traditional and contemporary art including sculpture, glass, pottery, jewelry, fiber art and fashion.  Several of the galleries will host meet the artists events. www.artwalkbarharbor.com.

 

Family Harvest Day at Boothbay Railway Village celebrates the bounty of autumn at this new old-fashioned, family-friendly festival with apple cider pressing, antique tractors, a pumpkin hayride and more. October 4 and 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  www.railwayvillage.org.

 

For more information about fall activities and events in Maine go to www.visitmaine.com.