Seeking Sustainable Tourism, Bar Harbor Encounters an Old Debate. Cruise ships, strategy, and surveys highlight latest discussion.

Seeking Sustainable Tourism, Bar Harbor Encounters an Old Debate.

Cruise ships, strategy, and surveys highlight latest discussion. Carrie Jones Jun 13, 2026 BAR HARBOR—The Sustainable Tourism Task Force addressed the cruise ship in the room, June 10, asking how and if the group should discuss cruise ships and cruise visitors when delving into their charge about sustainable tourism. The questions come while several lawsuits and appeals over the rules governing cruise ships in the … Continue reading Seeking Sustainable Tourism, Bar Harbor Encounters an Old Debate.

Less People Visited the Downeast and Acadia Region Last Year. Acadia National Park, However, Still Hovers at 4 Million Visits (not Vistors) Each Year.

Less People Visited the Downeast and Acadia Region Last Year.

Acadia National Park, However, Still Hovers at 4 Million Visits (not Vistors) Each Year. Carrie Jones May 18, 2026 ACADIA REGION—While many people whose livings rely on Maine’s $16.5 billion tourist industry are worrying about the upcoming summer season, the news from last year is that the number of people visiting Acadia and the Downeast region last year decreased again. That decrease is according to … Continue reading Less People Visited the Downeast and Acadia Region Last Year.

Some Bar Harbor Task Force Members Question Some Data and Rationale in Tourism Study. Bar Harbor Remains an Outlier in Seasonality Consultant Says.

Some Bar Harbor Task Force Members Question Some Data and Rationale in Tourism Study.

Bar Harbor Remains an Outlier in Seasonality Consultant Says. Carrie Jones Apr 10, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Restaurant Barn. BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor’s tourism planning hit some turbulence this week when some task force members questioned numbers and some of the focus behind a key report. The discussion unfolded as the town’s Sustainable Tourism Task Force reviewed a consultant’s report meant to … Continue reading Some Bar Harbor Task Force Members Question Some Data and Rationale in Tourism Study.

Consultants Discuss Tourism ‘Tensions’ in Bar Harbor. Town, they suggest, faces three.

Consultants Discuss Tourism ‘Tensions’ in Bar Harbor.

Town, they suggest, faces three. Carrie Jones Mar 13, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Wealth Management. BAR HARBOR—There are three key problems for Bar Harbor when it comes to sustainable tourism, a consultant from J.E. Austin Associates explained to a 13-member task force the town formed to help create a goal and actions relating to tourism. “At some point we’re going to … Continue reading Consultants Discuss Tourism ‘Tensions’ in Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor Looks for Honest Feedback Amid Tourism Work Tourism, Trust, and Tension: Inside Bar Harbor’s Community Debate When Some Feel Even Talking About Things Feels Risky

Bar Harbor Looks for Honest Feedback Amid Tourism Work

Tourism, Trust, and Tension: Inside Bar Harbor’s Community Debate When Some Feel Even Talking About Things Feels Risky Carrie Jones Feb 07, 2026 BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Town Council seems to collectively have no issues with consultants for the town’s sustainable tourism task force speaking to individuals throughout the community—and keeping those individuals’ identities anonymous—to gather deeper insight into tourism and the community. The discussion … Continue reading Bar Harbor Looks for Honest Feedback Amid Tourism Work

US News Names Bar Harbor Best Small Town to Visit in the United States

US News Names Bar Harbor Best Small Town to Visit in the United States

Carrie Jones Dec 16, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor was named the top spot on the Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA rankings by U.S. News & World Report. “Bar Harbor’s blend of natural beauty and local charms caused the area to rise to the top of the list,” Elizabeth Von Tersch, senior travel editor … Continue reading US News Names Bar Harbor Best Small Town to Visit in the United States

Visitors Flooded Acadia in October Despite Closed Amenities and No Fees. Acadia Is on Track for 4 Million Visits This Year as League of Towns Plans for Region's Future.

Visitors Flooded Acadia in October Despite Closed Amenities and No Fees.

Acadia Is on Track for 4 Million Visits This Year as League of Towns Plans for Region’s Future. Carrie Jones Nov 25, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR—After a year like 2025, Acadia National Park visitation numbers starts to feel like old news. The number of visits each month are mostly increasing. This October, however, was … Continue reading Visitors Flooded Acadia in October Despite Closed Amenities and No Fees.

Consultant: Bar Harbor Faces Unique Challenges as Tourism Demand Surges Worldwide Loved by Americans, Quiet in Winter: Consultant Unpacks Bar Harbor’s Unusual Tourism Rhythm

Consultant: Bar Harbor Faces Unique Challenges as Tourism Demand Surges Worldwide

Loved by Americans, Quiet in Winter: Consultant Unpacks Bar Harbor’s Unusual Tourism Rhythm Carrie Jones Nov 15, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. BAR HARBOR—What would happen if there were no tourists in Bar Harbor? It seems a strange question when there is a popular national park that generates 4 million visits within the town’s borders. Still, it’s one of the … Continue reading Consultant: Bar Harbor Faces Unique Challenges as Tourism Demand Surges Worldwide

Bar Harbor's Sagegrass Gallery To Close Due To Multiple Uncertainties State Tax Data Does Not Necessarily Indicate Success of Season For Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor’s Sagegrass Gallery To Close Due To Multiple Uncertainties

State Tax Data Does Not Necessarily Indicate Success of Season For Bar Harbor Shaun Farrar Nov 07, 2025 BAR HARBOR—Even with record amounts of visitation to Acadia National Park, Sue Stanley’s Sagegrass Gallery is close to $30,000 behind last year in sales. For a small business owner with a limited viable season, that’s a lot. It’s one of the factors that has caused her decision … Continue reading Bar Harbor’s Sagegrass Gallery To Close Due To Multiple Uncertainties

In Bar Harbor, Task Force Seeks Balance Between Tourism and Year-Round Life

In Bar Harbor, Task Force Seeks Balance Between Tourism and Year-Round Life

Carrie Jones Oct 10, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor wants to make tourism more sustainable, but first it has to figure out exactly what that means. A town task force is working on a plan to balance local life, the environment, and an economy that is partially driven by more than 4 million annual visits to Acadia National … Continue reading In Bar Harbor, Task Force Seeks Balance Between Tourism and Year-Round Life