What DART Does

DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism provides the following services for the entire region:

Support for Local/Regional Initiatives

  • Fund regionally significant, collaborative marketing efforts via its Regional MTMPP grant from the Maine Office of Tourism
  • Seek additional funds from other sources to support business and professional development and program implementation
  • Collaborate with local or regional organizations interested in regional health and well-being through community and economic development projects
  • Provide a regional voice to the Maine Office of Tourism, Maine Tourism Association and other state or private efforts affecting the region
  • Participate in state and regional conversations about recreation, tourism, and economic initiatives and opportunities

Training and Professional Development

  • Collaborate with Sunrise County Economic Council, Maine Office of Tourism, Maine Woods Consortium, and numerous other state and regional partners to offer tourism-related trainings and professional development opportunities.
  • Host an Annual Tourism Symposium And Awards Luncheon for networking and professional development.  The Symposium is held in a different location each year, and each year’s theme focuses specifically on the best assets and stories of the host community

True Maine Visitor Guide

  • Distribute True Maine Visitor Guides to potential visitors upon request via DownEastAcadia.com, at visitor centers throughout Maine and mid-Atlantic states, and at national/international travel shows
  • Provide each Chamber within the region receives a twice-monthly list of visitor information requests generated via DownEastAcadia.com

Regional Branding

  • Streamline printed materials, advertisements, video, social media, and websites to carry a cohesive look in an ongoing effort to create brand recognition for the DownEast Acadia region
  • Provide a Tourism Toolkit to help businesses and communities market themselves cohesively with regional efforts

Travel Show Participation

Free Marketing Opportunities for Area Businesses/Event Organizers

Cooperative Advertising 

  • Purchase a DownEast Acadia section in Maine Invites You, the state Visitor Guide sent out by the Maine Office of Tourism (300,000 copies distributed annually)
  • Provide a subsidy to each Member Organization that purchases a  page in Maine Invites You
  • Purchase broadcast advertising on Maine Public Radio from April through October to promote regional assets and events

Other Paid Advertising

  • Advertise special aspects of the regional experience in print publications and digital marketing platforms.

Social Media & E-Newsletter Outreach

  • Maintain Facebook and Instagram accounts to share articles, events, photos, visitor experiences, and news from the region
  • Produce a regular E-Newsletter as requested by potential visitors via DownEastAcadia.com or VisitMaine.com

Photo & Video Procurement

  • Contract with local artists to create photography and video that highlights special assets and special initiatives throughout the region.

Research and Analysis

  • Maine Office of Tourism commissions seasonal surveys and analyses for all of Maine, and breaks out a yearly report for the DART region including economic impact, number of visitors, and activities enjoyed
  • DART tracks Google Analytics trends from DownEast Acadia.com to prioritize website and visitor guide updates and inform direction for marketing plans, social media, and advertising
  • DART and MOT keep records of attendance and distribution at trade shows

click here to READ THE ANNUAL REPORT