Early signs indicate Maine’s tourism industry could have a good year. That’s welcome news for an industry that’s suffered from sluggish numbers in recent years.

Those watching the early returns closely believe good weather, gasoline prices and a strong Canadian dollar are getting the industry off to a good start. By the end of May, visits to Acadia National Park were up 4.5 percent over last year and visits to the state’s official tourism Web site were up 11 percent.

While the tourism industry will always be at the mercy of factors like these, there is something the state can do to make sure tourism continues to grow here – invest in tourism because it brings millions of dollars into the state every year.

This week Maine got the kind of exposure it couldn’t buy. With Vladimir Putin meeting with President Bush at his family’s Kennebunkport estate, all eyes were focused on Maine and what it has to offer visitors.

However, despite the publicity the state receives thanks to its famous part-time residents, Maine is not well known to many people around the country and in parts of Canada. The state’s beautiful coast, mountains and wildlife are more well known to people in other New England states and along the East Coast.

That’s likely why a large percentage of tourists travel here by car. Nationally 62 percent of tourists travel by car, but 71 percent of tourists drive to Maine.

However, with the arrival of low fare airlines JetBlue and AirTran, ticket prices at the Portland International Jetport have gotten more competitive with Manchester Airport and Logan International Airport. That makes Maine a more attractive destination for people who might have to travel a long distance to get here. The tourism industry likes travelers coming by air because they are less likely to cancel their plans, creating a more stable customer base.

However, the state is going to have to invest if it wants to attract more visitors. Although the state’s tourism budget has increased in recent years, it’s still quite low when compared to the budgets of other states. Maine has increased its budget from $4.5 million in 2001 to $8.5 million this coming year, but the state still ranks 37th in what it spends on tourism. By comparison, Hawaii spends $70 million, Pennsylvania spends $65 million and Illinois spends $49 million.

The state’s investment in attracting tourists is too low when you consider tourism is one of the biggest industries in the state. Lodging sales brought $182.5 million into southern Maine last year and $122.5 million to Cumberland County alone, according to Maine Revenue Service reports.

If this state wants to see those numbers rise, it’s going to have to advertise what it has to offer.

Brendan Moran, editor

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