From the Director’s Desk
As we transition into another beautiful Maine spring, our thoughts naturally turn to the upcoming tourism season—a time when our coastal towns come alive with visitors, activity, and opportunity.
A thriving tourism season is more than just busy sidewalks and full restaurants—it’s a vital pillar of our local economy. For many of our Chamber members, particularly those in retail, hospitality, food service, and the arts, the influx of summer and fall visitors provides the revenue needed to sustain operations year-round. Quite simply, tourism keeps our local economy moving.
But the benefits go even deeper.
Tourism fuels job creation, from seasonal staff to full-time positions that support families across Waldo County. It encourages both public and private investment in everything from downtown improvements to broadband access. And it gives us a valuable platform to share what makes our community so special—our creativity, our natural beauty, and our Maine hospitality.
The Chamber plays a key role in this ecosystem. Through events like Arts in the Park, visitor information services, and promotion of our members, we help connect travelers to the experiences they seek—and in turn, drive dollars to our local businesses.
So as we gear up for the busy months ahead, let’s celebrate the opportunity tourism brings. Whether you’re welcoming visitors to your storefront, your gallery, your trail, or your inn, know that your work contributes to the vibrancy of our region.
Here’s to a strong, successful season ahead!
Warmly,
Dorothy Havey
President/CEO
Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce