“Visitors to Maine generate roughly $13 billion in sales of goods and services. The trickledown effect of that provides over 100,000 jobs for Mainers.” This quote, taken from the official Web site of Governor Baldacci’s office, shows the dramatic economic impact that tourism has on our state. Maine invests significant resources to attract these visitors through a variety of different marketing mediums. One of these efforts is the production of an official travel planner entitled “Maine Invites You.” Annually the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Association distribute more than a combined 350,000 copies of this publication in print and electronically at www.mainetourism.com. Printed copies are distributed through local Chambers of Commerce, regional tourism agencies and the state’s official visitor centers, like the one in Houlton. Additionally anyone that requests information about the State receives a copy through the mail.
Tourism also plays a significant role in the economy of Aroostook County and Aroostook County Tourism (ACT) is working to bolster the tourism dollars coming to the Crown of Maine. In order to be successful we must inform visitors to this state that we are an exciting destination to experience.
As part of our marketing campaign, each year ACT places a two-page advertisement in the “Maine Invites You.” We believe that it is money well spent, because of the extensive distribution of this publication. However, because of its size and distribution the cost of placing any advertisement is significant, leaving many individual businesses unable or unwilling to commit.
To address this, Aroostook County Tourism is working with the local Chambers of Commerce to establish a county-wide collaboration to have a larger presence in the “Maine Invites You.” This will in turn do a better job at promoting our region to those 350,000 people who will inquire about the state of Maine next year. Therefore we are organizing a cooperative advertising effort within the “Maine Invites You” for local businesses. By contracting for a full-page and sharing the cost amongst several businesses county-wide we will be able to reduce the individual costs of ad placement by as much as one half.
Companies that would like to learn more about this advertising opportunity can contact their local chamber of commerce or please feel free to contact me directly. The deadline for participating in this effort is September 24th.
Working together we can provide more opportunities for each other to positively affect the economy of Aroostook County through added tourism activity.
David Spooner is the Business and Tourism Development Specialist with Northern Maine Development Commission in Caribou. He can be reached at 498-8736 or online at dspooner@nmdc.org
Marketing Aroostook to the world
By David Spooner
