April’s solar eclipse greatly boosted tourism spending in Maine

By Nick Song, Maine Public

Spending by tourists in Maine increased by 23.4 percent during the solar eclipse in April, according to findings released by the Maine Office of Tourism on June 18.

Compared with 2023, hotel occupancy throughout the state went up by 47 percent while short-term rentals increased by 27 percent. Visitor spending at bars and other nightlife businesses increased by 79 percent, while gas stations and recreational businesses across the state saw a 45 percent increase.

Over five days this spring, visitors flocked throughout the state to get stationed for the solar eclipse. Aroostook County saw its visitor numbers rise by 40 percent, while western Maine saw a 25 percent increase. The largest share of out-of-state visitors came from Boston and New York. The Office of Tourism also noted a significant increase in visitors from Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and Burlington, Vermont.

Carolann Ouelette, the director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, said the eclipse provided a unique opportunity to attract visitors into the state during a traditionally slow time of the year.

“The welcome that visitors received and their introduction to more of Maine’s rich natural beauty supported Maine’s growing reputation as a travel destination,” Ouellette said in the release. “Their appreciation is evident in the positive feedback we heard from communities about how respectful eclipse travelers were during their visit.”

The results were compiled by data firm Zartico by analyzing anonymized spending and geolocation data.

This article appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.