Port Authority contracts with Bermello-Ajamil & Partners to develop Bar Harbor Destination Management Plan

Contact: Mr. Brian Nutter, Exec. Director Maine Port Authority

(207) 624-3564 or Brian.Nutter@Maine.gov

Oct. 5, 2006 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Port Authority recently contracted with Bermello-Ajamil & Partners for development of a destination management plan for the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. The project team met for their first meeting in August. The six month project will provide an analysis of Bar Harbor’s existing cruise industry conditions and growth potential, together with suitable guidelines and recommendations for future cruise tourism planning and development, in concurrence with stakeholder input aimed at promoting citywide and regional sustainability. 

Goals of the plan include:

• On-Site Conditions and Local Traffic-Activity Analysis Related to Cruise Operations
• Regional Cruise Industry Market Study
• Cruise Operations Assessment and Strategic Recommendations
• Environmental Review
• Economic Benefits and Cruise Satisfaction Benchmarking

The project team has created an online resource where interested parties, community members, local stakeholders, and industry partners can view up to date information, including meeting notices, resource materials and presentations. There is also an area where people can submit questions and comments as the process moves forward. To view more about the project please visit www.cruisemaineusa.com/BHDestManageProject.asp.

The town of Bar Harbor, ME is located on Mt. Desert Island in the Gulf of Maine. The island is home to Acadia National Park which hosts over 2 million visitors annually and is the tenth most visited National Park in the United States. The community has a year round population of just over 5,000 people and expects to host 83 cruise ship calls, yielding over 93,000 cruise passengers this season.

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