Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I I N O. I X M AY 3 , 2 0 2 1 14 H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M F O C U S Compared to 2019… In 2019, Maine had its best tourism numbers since anyone started keeping track — supporting more than 116,000 workers, generating $9.7 billion in total sales and nearly $650 million in taxes. ere was no reason to believe 2020 wasn't going to be another record year. January 2020 lodging numbers were up 22% from the year before, February was up 20%. Restaurant sales were up an average of 10.5% for the first two months of 2020. Maine was planning a big 2020, with a variety of events built around the state's bicentennial, as well as big-ticket draws like the National Governors' Conference, which was to be held in Portland the first week of August. e shutdowns and restrictions began just as businesses were getting ready for summer. From May through August last year, restaurant taxable sales were down 34% and lodging down 78% from the previ- ous year, according to the Maine Office of Tourism. By the end of the year, the industry's taxable sales were down about 30% from the previous year. Vacationers make their summer plans and reservations early. ose numbers are an indicator of how strong a season will be. "One of the things we've tried to do is compare this year to 2019," Cameron says. "It's still lagging behind, but people are optimistic." In the mid-March survey, 35% of businesses said their reservations for spring and summer were 76% to 100% of their 2019 numbers; 36% were between 26% and 75% compared to 2019. But things change fast. Cameron says anecdotal evidence is that reserva- tions have picked up significantly. Google searches, short-term rental inquiries, airline destination searches, travel agent inquiries and more all point to increased interest in Maine this summer, those platforms report. In early April, airline search engine Hopper listed Portland as the top- searched destination in the country and Bangor as the 10th. Airbnb in March said southern Maine was its top search destination. Maine is also getting a boost from publications like Conde Nast Traveler, which in December listed it as one of the top 21 destinations for 2021, citing the need by many for "solitude and natural wonder. [Maine] is an easy sell, with its rugged coastline and charming port towns," the publication wrote. Helping Hospitality and Tourism Clients RECOVER AND GROW Led by partner and industry veteran Chris Howard, Pierce Atwood attorneys blend their legal expertise with hands-on executive and nancial experience to help address current business challenges facing owners, developers, and operators, such as securing nancing, managing debt, selling or acquiring businesses, workforce management, regulatory compliance, and real estate and leasing decisions. In an industry hit hard over the past year, Pierce Atwood has helped hospitality and tourism clients implement protocols to keep their employees and guests safe, access all available state and federal loan programs, and work in tandem with creditors to maintain operations. For hospitality and tourism companies looking to hit the ground running post-pandemic, contact Chris Howard for e•ective, practical advice and counsel. Chris can be reached at choward@pierceatwood.com or ... MERRILL'S WHARF • ••• COMMERCIAL STREET • PORTLAND, MAINE †•‡†‡ • PIERCEATWOOD.COM Pierce Atwood. There's a reason… » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Meetings and conference business still a question mark M att Lewis, CEO of HospitalityMaine, said business travel will come back much more slowly than recreational, and Maine hospitality businesses will feel the pain. "The pandemic has kind of shown us that all of these business trips are not required," he says. Rachel Sagiroglu, founder of Experience Maine, says, "The general thought is it's going to take a few years before it's back to normal." Her company, which plans travel packages, initially also focused on busi- ness events when she founded it in 2019. "Instead of bringing 500 people to Maine for a big meeting, they'll do a hybrid event from regional hubs within driving distance," she says. Lewis says the Maine, and national, hospitality industries need business meetings and events to sustain hotels, conference centers, caterers, restau- rants and more. "If meetings and events are still canceling in November, it's very daunting for Maine," he says. "If there's too much slippage, and we're pushing another year, people can't afford it here." The industry is looking to Fortune 500 companies to "set the pace," he says. but the hospitality industry itself has to get on board with reviving its own in-person events. "We should be the leaders," Lewis says. "If we're not going to do it ourselves, it doesn't bode well." Matt Lewis, CEO of HospitalityMaine P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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