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February 19

Portland tops AARP's list of places to visit in 2012

The AARP designation gives tourism officials hope of luring more travelers than usual this year.

By Edward D. Murphy emurphy@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

The ranks of retirees normally swells in Portland during the summer as snowbirds return north, but the flock this year could be a little larger: AARP, the country's largest organization representing retirees, has named Portland its top travel destination for 2012.

AARP TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

1. Portland, Maine

2. Clearwater, Fla.

3. New York City

4. Durham, N.C.

5. Big Island, Hawaii

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A story written by a Frommer's travel writer on the AARP website said Portland beat out Clearwater, Fla.; New York City; Durham, N.C.; and the Big Island of Hawaii for the best go-to spot for the year.

The article said Portland is "a commercial hub where glass-and-steel high-rises house multinational corporations. But it's the revitalized, working Old Port that makes the city so appealing."

It goes on to say that lobstermen "still commandeer wooden fishing boats, and the air rings with the music of ship bells and foghorns."

Maybe the word choice wasn't the best, but the praise for the city sounded sweet to Janis Beitzer, executive director of Portland's Downtown District.

"Obviously, they (AARP) are a very trusted brand and for them to have us No. 1 is going to be a boost for us," she said.

The AARP piece hits all the expected high points: fresh lobster and other seafood; Fore Street and Portland's food scene; microbreweries; Portland Head Light (called Portland Head Lighthouse in the article) and the artists, such as Edward Hopper, it has inspired; and proximity to L.L. Bean.

Beitzer said she hopes the article induces retirees to head north and discover how walkable Portland is and that its dining choices go beyond the restaurants led by award-winning chefs and written up in culinary magazines.

"The restaurant and food industry is, at this point, legendary," she said. "And once people get here, they'll see some of the newer chefs and a lot of newer places."

Beitzer said the publicity could be more important than ever this year. With experts predicting record prices for gasoline this summer, it might be hard to convince Americans to hop in the car for a long weekend away from home.

Beitzer said that makes air travel a little more important, and noted that Southwest has indicated it plans to maintain service to Portland after it completes its takeover of AirTran, which currently operates from the Portland International Jetport.

And The Downeaster, Portland's Amtrak train service, could play a bigger role if travelers going to Boston want to make a side trip to Maine and still avoid renting – and gassing up – a car.

Beitzer said that compared to some of the other destinations on AARP's list, travelers will probably find Portland a little less expensive and easier to maneuver around than a city like New York.

Unless, of course, a visitor comes in a wooden boat that catches a lobsterman's eye.

Staff Writer Edward D. Murphy can be contacted at 791-6465 or at:

emurphy@pressherald.com

 

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