Vacation rentals slow in Maine, pushing down prices for summer travelers

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 2, 2023

Bookings for short-term rentals have slowed across Maine. There are several reasons: an unusually rainy June, renewed competition for travelers, especially overseas, a labor shortage, a decline in travelers from Asia and Europe, who are dissuaded by news reports about mass shootings and the instability of the U.S. economy. “Acadia is huge,” said Tom Blake of Blake’s Airbnb rental in South Portland,. “About 30% of our guests are going to or coming from Acadia. I think without Acadia [National Park], tourism in Portland would be down greatly.”