Meeting with DART and the VRC

I met with Downeast and Acadia Regional Tourism (DART) on February 9th and the Vactionland Resources Committee (VRC) on March 2nd to present the initial scenic byways concept. Both groups offered positive feedback and indicated support of moving forward with the development and refinement of the byways concept.

I got mixed feedback on the "brand" for the byway from folks at the DART meeting. Some people really like "Downeast Byway" other really liked "Bold Coast Byway." One suggestion was that if we plan on seeking National Designation for the byway at some point, the byway's title should include the word "Maine" (e.g. Maine's Downeast Coastal Byway" or "Maine's Bold Coast Byway."

Folks at the Vactionland Resources Committee wanted to make sure that the byway (signage, promotional materials) be used to guide visitors to our regional outstanding natural resources (hiking trails, state parks, et cetera) as a way to support and further existing efforts to promote nature-based tourism. They also suggested making use of Sunrise County Economic Council's effort to identify the "Gem of the Gems" for nature based tourism, as well as the accompanying inventory of way-finding signage.