Acadia-related spending drops for second year as fewer people visit

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 29, 2024

Nearly 4 million people who visited Acadia National Park in 2023 spent $475 million in and around Bar Harbor – a figure that’s down slightly from 2022 but up significantly from pre-pandemic numbers, according to a new report from the National Park Service. Spending by 3.88 million park visitors last year also supported 6,000 jobs and had a cumulative benefit of $685 million to the wider Down East economy, the park service reported. Superintendent Kevin Schneider said in a statement. “We’re proud that Acadia National Park not only offers visitors an extraordinary experience but significantly supports local businesses.”