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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 M AY 1 , 2 0 2 3 F O C U S H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M H otel development is booming in sync with tourism trends, which show that visitors con- tinue to flock to Maine and are staying longer than ever. New construction and renovations are underway from southern Maine to Aroostook County, with focal points on spaces and amenities that meet evolving customer expectations while also con- tributing to local economies. Travelers are gravitating to Portland as a destination now more than ever, says Jim Brady, president of Fathom Cos., which has a hotel on the drawing board in Portland. Maine's most northern county, Aroostook, is also seeing business travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. at spurred renovations of Presque Isle's Northeastland Hotel, with updated spaces and a new restaurant and co- working space to attract businesspeo- ple and visitors alike. In Waterville, the recent addition of the Lockwood Hotel is part of a major initiative to transform the downtown into a arts-and-culture destination. Bar Harbor's market opportunity remains strong, says local hotelier Stephen Coston. Neighboring Acadia National Park, which attracts 4 mil- lion people annually, the town of 5,500 year-round residents neighbors has numerous inns and small hotels, with room for more. "We have the right balance in a lot of ways that most places don't," Coston says of the area. "I think recently we have been able to show people that there is no 'bad' time to visit Bar Harbor, and now the season is much longer than it used to be." Wider Northeast audience In Waterville, the $26 million Lockwood, with 53 guest rooms and the Front & Main restaurant was developed by Colby College as part of larger revitalization initiatives, including the addition of the Paul J. Schupf Arts Center, which opened in December. "Lockwood Hotel is an important milestone in the downtown revital- ization project, which has attracted close to $200 million in investments from private and public sources," says Brian Clark, Colby's vice president of planning. "It serves as an access point for visitors to experience and immerse themselves in the arts, culture and outdoor attractions in the area, and is the first boutique hotel in downtown in over a century." e Lockwood and its Front & Main restaurant serve as a gathering place for the community and as desti- nations that attract visitors, while also beginning to attract a wider audience across the Northeast looking for a new experience in Maine, he says. Lockwood's general manager, Jordan Rowan, notes that Waterville's hospitality opportunities have been static for several years, dominated by branded hotels. "We capture travelers to Maine, including families and couples that seek multiple destinations in the state and make Waterville a highlight of their trip," says Rowan. "Of course, we always welcome our drive-market visitors from Boston, Portland and New York, too." Forward Thinking • Innovative • Consistency You Can Count On D'arcy Main-Boyington Economic Development Director ecdev@brewermaine.gov 207-989-7500 W W W. B R E W E R M A I N E . G O V/ B I Z " The City of Brewer has welcomed my small family business with open arms by providing us with resources to facilitate growth within the community." Daniel Finnemore President, Box of Maine C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » S O U R C E : Maine Office of Tourism BY THE NUMBERS Lockwood Hotel is an important milestone in the downtown revitalization project. — Brian Clark Colby College P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F C O L B Y C O L L E G E Brian Clark, Colby's vice president of planning, says the Lockwood Hotel is a milestone in the downtown revitalization project. 15.3 million people visited Maine in 2022, a 1.5% decline from 15.6 million in 2021. But visitors stayed longer than ever, spend- ing 12.1 million nights in Maine accommoda- tions throughout 2022, up 18.4% from 2021.

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