1990 is year of frugal tourist

AUGUSTA– Maine tourists are pinching pennies and cutting their vacations short, according to tourism industry officials, who report lackluster business so far this summer.

But they also note that August, which is usually the busiest month of the year, still lies ahead.

Tourists are spending money, but, “This year, they’re just a little squeamish about it,” said Clayton Fowlie of the Rockland Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fowlie reports more vacancy signs on motels this summer, and says business in some restaurants and motels in the area is down by 20 percent.

Business is also flat in the Boothbay Harbor area, said Barbara Hampson, executive director of the chamber of commerce.

“People are not coming in droves. People who are coming through the door, the first thing out is, `How much?’ and, `Is it reasonable?’ They’re price shopping,” said Hampson.

Spokesman John Johnson of the Maine Office of Tourism said that the economic slowdown has taken its toll on Maine’s $2 billion a year tourism industry.

“People are staying a little less time. The economy has had an effect. People can afford to go for three or four days, instead of seven to 10 days,” said Johnson.

The Maine Publicity Bureau reports that business is up 7 percent over last year, while the Maine Turnpike Authority says traffic in June was up 2 percent over the June 1989 levels.

James Thompson, executive director of the Maine Publicity Bureau, thinks that business has improved during recent days, and that a July-based assessment of the entire season is premature.

According to Thompson, the busiest month is August, followed by July, the second busiest; September, then June. This means, Thompson said, that two of the three busiest months lie ahead.