Maine Woods Sustainable Tourism Initiative

The Maine Woods Sustainable Tourism Initiative is a project of the Maine Woods Consortium (MWC) – an open association of non-profit organizations, businesses and government agencies dedicated to advancing a “triple bottom line” (economy, environment, community) approach to development and conservation in the Maine Woods region.

  • Maine Woods Discovery posts new winter packages - 12/20/12

    Maine Woods Discovery has posted new winter packages that highlight unique experiences offered in northern Maine. The new packages feature cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snowmobiling between a variety of lodges, huts and inns.

    Maine Woods Discovery supports network-based tourism packaging and promotion among leading Maine Woods tourism providers who are committed to a shared set of quality standards.
  • Video training benefits tourism workers - 11/23/12

    Welcome ME--an online customer service training video--is helping tourism workers sharpen their customer service skills, an essential element of strengthening the tourism sector so it can offer improved wages, benefits and job stability for employees.

    “If our desk staff earn the Welcome ME certificate and pass an internal test, they’ll get a 50-cent-an-hour raise,” said Rob Miller, manager of the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center. Miller and his staff have participated in several in-person training sessions offered by the Maine Woods Tourism Training Initiative.

    The Northern Forest Center secured grants from USDA Rural Development and The Betterment Fund to help fund Welcome ME, which was produced by the Center for Tourism Research and Outreach. More than 300 people have completed the program since it launched in spring 2012.
  • New Customer Service Training Online - 01/10/11

    Tourism businesses in the Maine Woods have a new way to participate in customer service training. As part of the Maine Woods Tourism Training Initiative (MWTTI), the Maine Woods Consortium collaborated with the Maine Small Business Development Centers to develop a customer service training that businesses can access for free through the Maine SBDC website.

    Customer Service: Exceeding Customer Expectations focuses on the importance of customer service and provides useful tips for enhancing customer service skills. This new training tool is approximately 30 minutes long and is appropriate for owners, managers, and staff.

    MWTTI is a part of the Maine Woods Consortium’s effort to improve the overall quality of regional tourism products and increase the number of livable wage jobs in the tourism sector. This project was funded by USDA Rural Development and the Betterment Fund.