Maine’s tourism industry could be in for a good year — and a record-breaking one, at that — according to state tourism officials and the most recent forecast from AAA Northern New England.
The Bangor Daily News reported 36.1 million Americans were expected to take a trip over Memorial Day weekend, according to a prediction from AAA. The forecast is the second highest for volume of travelers in 14 years.
Greg Dugal, executive director of the Maine Innkeepers Association, told the newspaper that overnight visitors could generate $800 million in lodging sales, a record-breaking number. He said attractions like the Nova Star Ferry in Portland and World Acadian Congress in Aroostook County will help drive the traffic, but Maine’s hospitality industry will also need to utilize social media as a way to attract new visitors.
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