BANGOR – Niche tourism will be the topic of a May 24 presentation open to the public at Eastern Maine Development Corp.

Roger Merchant, a Maine guide, tourism expert and educator with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Piscataquis County, will talk about niche tourism between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at EMDC’s offices at One Cumberland Place. Subtopics will include nature-based, heritage, eco- and cultural tourism.

Merchant is expected to talk about how rural communities in eastern Maine can leverage their natural resources to promote tourism while improving the quality of life for local residents and providing economic opportunities.

The talk is the last in a series of four sponsored by EMDC, which helps foster economic and community development in Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.