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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 31 O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 M I D C O A S T / D OW N E A S T R E G I O N F O C U S Matt and Kristi Losquadro, who run the Salt Air Inn in Bar Harbor, heard a lot from guests about such issues. Bookings at the year-round inn were up about 15% year-to-date at the end of September, full through October, and fi lling for November. Its off - street parking has proven a draw for guests, given Bar Harbor's traffi c and parking congestion. "Very, very busy this year, more than anything we've had in the past, by quite a bit, actually," says Matt Losquadro. "In September we had one room open for one night. at's unusual, to be 100% full for September. In the past there's been a lull in September. But they just kept coming." at's good for business, Losquadro says. e drawback? " e park has been extremely crowded. We've had more guests this year complain that there were too many people at the top of Cadillac, there was no place to park at Jordan Pond House, they couldn't get close to Sand Beach. At sunrise, there's a thousand people at the top of Cadillac. at's great for the people seeing it, but others didn't get to see it. ey come back here and say, 'Well, I couldn't get up Cadillac.' We explain there's probably more people here this year because it's the centennial and because Acadia has gotten a lot more publicity in the last two years than it probably ever has before. Maybe this is the goal — to bring more people to Acadia. But I don't think Acadia is prepared for it. I'm not sure what the solution is. Maybe the park should issue passes for Cadillac." At the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director Martha Searchfi eld projects a continued upward trend for 2017, due to media atten- tion. Four years ago, the chamber started working with the Augusta marketing agency Nancy Marshall Communications to promote Bar Harbor and Acadia. Congestion or not, people are here because they love this area, she says. Periodically, she polls visitors. "I was down on the cruise ship pier, talking with passengers," she says. " eir enthusiasm — 'Oh, wow! We had no idea this much was here in Bar Harbor!' ey all said they wished they had more time to spend exploring and they wanted to come back." During the recent Acadia Night Sky Festival, Searchfi eld adds, "One woman got off bus and said, 'Oh, my gosh, I went to the visitors center, they told me about this event, and I never thought in my life the sky would be as beautiful as it was on top of Cadillac.' So yes, I think we had a great year." L aUr i e S c H r e i Be r, a w r i te r ba s e d i n B a s s Ha r bo r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t l a U r i e @ m a i N e p r o F i l e s . c o m About 51,000 hours, actually, on average. And over that time, you've worked, sacrificed, lost sleep, and even saved a few bucks along the way. Our team will honor this lifelong effort with the same level of dedication—and the same work ethic— and the same work ethic— and the same work ethic that it took to realize your dreams. Securities and investment products are not bank deposits, are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not obligations of, nor guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate, and may involve investment risk, including the possible loss of value or principal amount invested. Investment Management. Retirement Planning. Trust Services | firstadvisorsonline.com | 866-563-1900 PROTECTING DREAMS | First Advisors IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK TO RETIRE. TO RETIRE. That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for That's unusual, to be 100% full for September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been September ... The park has been extremely crowded. We've had more guests this year complain there were too many people at the top of Cadillac [Mountain]. — Matt Losquadro, Salt Air Inn

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