Maine’s Midcoast Reaching Out to Canadian Travelers
At a time when the Canadian “loonie” has risen to nearly par with the U.S. dollar, the Camden Hills area is working to educate Canadians about why Maine’s Midcoast is a particularly attractive vacation destination.
Midcoast officials are reaching north of the border in a concerted way for the first time, both because of the strong Canadian dollar and the creation of new transportation links to Maine. In the last few months, transportation officials have announced the introduction of direct passenger flights between Portland and both Toronto and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. These developments present an opportunity to tell the story of Maine’s Midcoast to a largely new audience.
“Maine attracts a lot of Canadian visitors every summer, but too few of those travelers recognize that the Camden Hills area is unique. It is the only spot in the Eastern United States where mountains literally meet the sea,” said Dan Bookham, executive director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce.
The coastal communities of Camden Hills have been described by publications such as Forbes Traveler and Boston magazines as some of the prettiest towns in New England, if not the United States. They area is both uniquely Maine and simultaneously evocative of Canadian locations such as Lunenburg, Thunder Bay, and St. Andrews.
“All our students from Quebec rave about the beauty and friendliness of the Camden area,” said Brian Boyd, director of the Acadia Center for English Immersion in Camden. “Students often mention that it's much closer to Quebec than they realized, just four or five hours by car.”
These visitors comment on how much they enjoy the architecture, which is very different from what they have at home, and say that the area is perfect for a learning vacation, Boyd said.
The region offers many of the activities and family-friendly experiences that Canadians tell researchers they want from their Maine vacations. These include:
- Outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, sailing, and kayaking
- Dining that ranges from local fare, such as lobster and “whoopie pies”, to nationally acclaimed cuisine at fine restaurants
- Activities for families, whether that is a trip to a transportation museum, art gallery, or working farm; two Canadian French television stations (channels 2 and 16) are available.
- Shops that are located in authentic Maine village centers nestled beside harbors dotted with schooners and lobster boats
Research completed for the Maine Office of Tourism found late last year that shopping is one of the major reasons Canadians visit the state and that these visitors particularly enjoy exploring downtown shops. Camden and other nearby communities offer one-of-a-kind stores, where shoppers can find unique merchandise and prices that were affordable even before the run-up in the loonie’s value.
“Canadians who are visiting Bangor or the Maine Mall in South Portland can add a whole new set of experiences to their trip by visiting the Camden Hills,” Bookham said. “Maine’s Midcoast is just an hour and a half drive, along lovely and scenic roads, from Bangor or Portland.
“Better yet, the Camden Hills can be their vacation home, whether they are looking to pitch a tent or stay at a world-class luxury inn,” Bookham said. “The Camden Hills is at the center of the state’s world-famous coast, and the perfect location for experiencing all things Maine.”
