Sept. lodging sales down 12%
The Maine State Planning office this week released retail sales data that shows lodging sales dropped 12% in September from the same month last year.
That data backs up similar numbers the Maine Innkeepers Association recently released that show hotel occupancy rates in Maine dropped 10% in September. While the numbers draw a stark picture of how Maine's tourism industry is suffering in the current economic downturn, Greg Dugal, executive director for the Maine Innkeepers Association, says he is still optimistic that the industry is faring relatively well. He said the economic situation certainly had an impact in September, mostly in the form of fewer impulse trips by people with discretionary income, but he also said the low numbers also reflect the fact that Labor Day fell on Sept. 1, meaning that the results from that high-volume weekend were reflected in August's numbers. He said October appeared to be a better month with good weather and lower gas prices.
"I think September was hanging out there and people didn't have a reason to move and they didn't," Dugal told Mainebiz. "2009 will be a tenuous year, but I think we can have success."
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