The 2017 Summer Season Topline report is now available online at VisitMaine.com. The research shows that while nationwide summer leisure travel showed a moderate increase over the prior summer season, in Maine estimated summer visitation increased 4.5% from 2016 to 2017, with overnight visitation showing growth of more than 8%.
Some takeaways –
- Overnight visitors are most interested in exploring Maines food/beverage/culinary options, and in Active Outdoors activities.
- Nearly 2/3 of overnight summer visitors stayed in paid accommodations.
- Maine continues to see growth in overnight visitation from the mid-Atlantic states.
- Massachusetts and Maine continue to provide the greatest proportions of summer day visitors to Maine.
Maine Revenue Services reported that year to date through August, lodging taxable sales were up 8% over 2016, while restaurant taxable sales saw growth of 3.5% over 2016. Combined restaurant and lodging taxable sales grew about 4.76% year over year through August.
The US Travel Association Travel Trends Index predicts travel growth nationally of approximately 2.2% through the first quarter of 2018, as solid domestic travel demand adds to gains in international inbound travel early next year.
