IN THE CITY
Were you aware that tourism is Maine’s largest industry? In 2015, Maine had over 33 million visitors, which generated almost $8 billion in sales and directly supported over 94,000 jobs — about 14 percent of the jobs in the state.
Many here in rural northern Maine might wonder what that means for them. In fact, Aroostook County does draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year for our unparalleled outdoor recreational activities; for our large regional events such as the Can-Am Sled Dog Races, Loring Land Speed Trials, Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, New Sweden’s MidSommar Festival, Fort Fairfield’s Potato Blossom Festival and more; and even for local history venues such as the many small museums and historical societies that dot the county.
More specifically, what does this mean to Presque Isle? Presque Isle is considered the “hub” of Aroostook County with a shopping mall, a regional airport, several large hotels, and three institutions of higher learning (UMPI, NMCC and Husson). This means that every resident of and individual who works in Presque Isle is, essentially, in the tourism industry.
Dictionary.com defines tourism as “the business or industry of providing information, accommodations, transportation, and other services to tourists.
Every time a visitor asks a clerk, cashier, or person walking down the street what there is to do around here and receives a negative responses, it hurts the economy of our community.
Speaking as a Presque Isle High School alumni who moved away, lived in several large cities up and down the East Coast, and returned “home,” I can personally say with great confidence that there is SO much to do here. Just because there may not be something going on that interests you personally does not mean that it wouldn’t interest a visitor. There is something for everyone here.
In March and April alone in Presque Isle, we had an A Capella group, a Shakespeare troupe, a huge number of child-specific activities (Fit & Fun Days, Open Studio at Wintergreen, A Dr. Seuss celebration, an Easter Bunny Tea Party, an Easter Bunny Trolley Event …), art exhibits at the library and the two galleries at UMPI, Avalanche Wrestling, a concussion workshop, a home and small business trade show, the trash & treasure sale, indoor public skating, snowshoeing outings, and a wide variety of historic tours. These are just the “happenings” I was aware of and, I am sure, there were many more not on my immediate radar.
So, as you embrace your new role in local tourism and economic development, I offer you two useful suggestions. First, if you are not aware of what is going on in the area when you are asked, you can always refer the individual to www.VisitAroostook.com. This website is a listing of events in our area.
Secondly, there is a FREE online customer service training designed to support the Maine tourism industry by creating superior visitor experiences. It only takes about an hour to complete and provides a certificate upon completion. The trainee can also gain some valuable life skills in the process. It is called WelcomeME and can be accessed at umaine.edu/centro/welcome-me-quality-service-training-home/take-welcome-me.
Kimberly Smith is grant writer for the city of Presque Isle. She can be reached at 760-2722 or via email at ksmith@presqueisleme.us.
