Business in brief AUGUSTA: STATE TOUTS TOURISM EFFORT

Gov. John Baldacci took steps Tuesday toward increasing Maine’s competitiveness in the tourism industry, which he said drew more than $6 billion in direct spending in the state in 2002. “While tourism is already Maine’s largest industry, the global tourism marketplace is becoming increasingly competitive,” Baldacci said. “In order to maintain our advantage, we must constantly expand and diversify our product offerings for visitors.” Baldacci said he will appoint a task force including state officials and industry representatives to develop ways to expand tourism opportunities in rural Maine. He made the announcement as a Texas-based consulting firm, Fermata Inc., presented an action plan that highlights the nature-based assets of three Maine regions: the Western Mountains, the Highlands and Down East. The new task force will develop themed travel itineraries in each of those three regions, utilizing uniform road signs, print and Web-based materials. The three pilot regions will serve as models for the rest of the state.