About DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism
We’re pleased to meet you.
DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism (DART) and its members collectively work to promote and market the region’s natural, recreational, and cultural assets. Our marketing efforts help to promote sustainable cultural, economic, and environmental health across Washington and Hancock Counties.
DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism is a community promotion organization funded by the Maine Office of Tourism and by membership dues and donations. Our mission is to promote the diverse tourism businesses and organizations across Hancock and Washington Counties. We also promote with a local community first approach that seeks to enhance the local economies of this quintessential Maine tourism region.
DART welcomes membership and other participation from any business, individual, municipality, or organization working for the benefit of our communities
OUR MEMBERS REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
- Chambers of Commerce
- Economic Development Groups
- Regional Planning and Development Organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Professional Business Organizations
- Recreation And Conservation Groups
- Cultural/Heritage Groups
- Historical Societies
- Business Owners
- Individuals
How DO We DELIVER our mission?
- Serve the DownEast Acadia region as the Maine Office of Tourism’s officially designated regional Destination Marketing Organization and to coordinate with MOT on tourism related issues
- Coordinate with any organization that has similar goals within and outside the region, including the other MOT designated regions and our Canadian neighbors
- Advocate for the responsible use of the cultural, historical, and natural resources in the region
- Provide the region’s tourism related industry with opportunities for collaboration, education, product development and other programs to strengthen the position of the DownEast Acadia Region in the market
We deliver our mission through a range of promotional channels including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Maine Public Radio, Maine Invites You, Regional Brand Sponsorships, our Annual Region Guide, and through our website.
We also coordinate with members and other regional tourism organizations through community outreach and regional event promotion.
DART constantly monitors travel trends and strives to continually develop and promote a sustainable brand narrative around DownEast Maine.
How our work is funded:
DART is funded by the Maine Office of Tourism funding and membership dues.
The Maine Office of Tourism (MOT) manages DART funds through the Maine Tourism Marketing and Promotion Partnership (MTMPP) program. Maine Office of Tourism provides MTMPP grants to a Regional Marketing Organization in each of the eight Tourism Regions of Maine. DART spends these MTMPP dollars on projects outlined in the organization’s annual Marketing and Promotion Plan.
DART’s use of this funding is judicious and aims to get the most exposure for the region while supporting local initiatives and enabling individual businesses to directly benefit as much as possible. DART actively seeks new and innovative methods of increasing revenues in order to increase services to members and capacity to fulfill organizational goals.
The Maine Office of Tourism (MOT) manages these funds through the Maine Tourism Marketing and Promotion Partnership (MTMPP) program. Maine Office of Tourism provides MTMPP grants to a Regional Marketing Organization in each of the eight Tourism Regions of Maine. DART spends these MTMPP dollars on projects outlined in the organization’s annual Marketing and Promotion Plan.
DART’s annual marketing program highlights DownEast Acadia as a primary destination for travelers who want to experience beautiful natural settings, active outdoor adventures, or those who simply desire relaxing and connecting with themselves, their family, and our communities.
