Todd Gabe

James McConnon

The cruise industry is a key source of economic activity in many U.S. port communities. Bar Harbor, Maine, has emerged as a popular port-of-call on New England autumn cruises given its rural charm and close proximity to Acadia National Park. In 2002, 64 cruise ships - carrying about 130,000 passengers and crew members - docked in Bar Harbor. Another 85 cruise ships visited Bar Harbor in 2003.

This presentation will discuss the economics of cruise ship tourism in Bar Harbor. The study, sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is based on 1,000 passenger surveys conducted in 2002. The surveys asked the amount of money passengers spent in nine expenditure categories, the activities they pursued while in port, the areas of town passengers explored, time constraints they may have faced, and several personal characteristics.

The typical survey respondent is a 60-year-old female with an average household income of $75,000. The average respondent spent $85 in Bar Harbor, including $25 on food and beverages and $23 on apparel items. More than one-half of the surveyed passengers visited Acadia National Park, and 60 percent took a tour sponsored by the cruise line.

Along with a brief discussion of the survey results, the presentation will discuss ways in which local development officials can maximize the benefits of the cruise ship industry. We will focus on strategies to encourage repeat visits to the area by cruise ship passengers, increase the amount of money spent by tourists while in port, and decrease disruptions to the local community.