MAINE PUBLIC • May 27, 2022
Maine officials say they're expecting another strong tourism season — but they say visitors have changed where and how they vacation here. Steve Lyons, the director of the Maine Office of Tourism, said that further loosening of restrictions at the Canadian border, and pent-up demand for travel during the pandemic, will likely translate to a lot of visitors coming to Maine this summer. Rural areas, such as Piscataquis and Somerset Counties, saw a big boost in tourism over the last few years because of people looking for outdoor recreation and more space during the pandemic. He said while he expects that trend to continue, the state is also seeing more people returning to traditional tourist areas along the coast.