For Immediate Release                                                       Contact: Pat Eltman, Director

February 18, 2009                                                                                  Maine Office of Tourism

                                                                                      207-624-7483 or pat.eltman@maine.gov

CruiseMaineUSA Receives Tourism Award

South Portland, Maine — Maine Port Authority’s CruiseMaineUSA recently received the Tourism Award for Commitment to Tourism Growth during a ceremony at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards dinner held at the Marriot Sable Oaks in South Portland.

The Commitment to Tourism Growth award was given during the ceremony honoring those in the tourism industry who lead by example and demonstrate commitment to Maine as a world-class tourist destination. The awards are sponsored by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Commission.

Maine Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner John Richardson and Director of Tourism Pat Eltman presented the award to CruiseMaineUSA Director Amy Powers.

Since 2002 the Maine Port Authority’s CruiseMaineUSA has worked to attract cruise ships to Maine’s ocean and river ports. In 2003, 151 ship visits were made to the state. Last year, more than 260 ship visits were made at 10 ports of call between Portland and Bar Harbor.

“Five ports have seen an increase in ship visits for three straight years, and small ship operators American Cruise Lines and American Canadian Caribbean Cruise Line are now home ported in Maine during the summer and fall,” said Eltman.

“CruiseMaine USA has done a tremendous job of strengthening this segment of Maine’s tourism industry,” she added.

A total of five awards were presented during the conference, covering categories of Commitment to Customer Service, Commitment to Tourism Growth, Commitment to Community, Commitment to Innovation & Creativity and the Governor’s Award for Tourism Excellence.

The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is an opportunity for Maine’s tourism industry to gather for professional development and to recognize those whose service and dedication is commendable.

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The CruiseMaine Coalition in partnership with the Maine Port Authority and the communities of Bangor, Belfast, Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Camden, Eastport, Freeport, Kennebunk-Kennebunkport, Portland, Rockland and several Associate Members including Chase Leavitt & Co., Discover New England, Down East Magazine, FlyBangor, GetEtched, Maine & Co., Maine Office of Tourism, Maine Tourism Association, Maine Department of Transportation, Penobscot Bay & River Pilot’s Association, and the Washington County Commissioner’s Office works to promote these communities to the travel trade, travel media and cruise industry as attractive cruise destinations. We also provide the relative community and business support necessary for these areas to become and remain viable, productive cruise destinations while promoting cultural preservation and responsible tourism.