New community-led tourism initiative goes “beyond the guidebook”
The Dusk to Dark paddle down the Presumpscot River in Westbrook emphasizes cultural history and environmental restoration. PHOTO HEATHER CHANDLER
Setting off for the Dusk to Dark paddle. PHOTO HEATHER CHANDLER
A new slate of community-led tourism experiences is set to launch across Maine this summer, aiming to reshape how visitors engage with local culture, history and the environment. Developed by international nonprofit Planeterra in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Development Foundation, the tours will offer experiences in Biddeford, Gardiner, Rockland, Saco and Westbrook.
The project, titled Beyond the Guidebook:The Maine You Haven’t Met Yet, focuses on“community tourism”—a model that prioritizes local leadership and reinvestment in the communities where tourism takes place. Each experience was co-created with local Main Street organizations and stakeholders to reflect the distinct identity and priorities of the host community.
In Biddeford, visitors can take part in a guided food and culture walk highlighting immigrant-owned businesses and youth-led storytelling. In Westbrook, guided moonlight paddles on the Presumpscot River emphasize cultural history and environmental restoration. Other experiences include a self-guided walking tour in Gardiner featuring audio stories from artists with intellectual disabilities, a pay-what-you-can ecology tour along the Saco River, and a combined sailing and boatbuilding experience in Rockland.
Proceeds support programs such as youth outdoor education, inclusive art spaces and access to river recreation.
For more information and booking details, visit mainstreetmaine.org/experiences
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