On Tuesday, citizens of Bar Harbor, Maine, voted in favor of limiting the number of cruise ship passengers that can visit the town each day. This move is a response to growing concerns about overtourism in the small town.
According to the Bar Harbor Daily News, the petition — which passed by a vote of 1,780 to 1,273 — will limit the number of passengers who disembark in the town each day to 1,000. To put that number in perspective, the U.S. Census Bureau lists the population of Bar Harbor as 5,159 as of 2021.
The town is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to Acadia National Park and its quaint, scenic appeal. Bar Harbor had previously instituted larger caps earlier this year.
A Response To Overcrowding
While the cruise industry may challenge the new rule, supporters claim that the huge numbers of visitors overcrowd Bar Harbor without bringing in money to the local economy.
The Bar Harbor Daily News reported that one resident, Matt Carroll, said he supported the limitations because he didn’t want the “Disney-fication” of the town. He also noted that the financial benefits of cruise tourism are limited because passengers spend little money in town.
Charles Sidman, the local man who brought the petition forward, said, “There is a vast and deep feeling in the town that we have been overrun by cruise ship traffic.” On a similar note, a 2021 survey reported that 55 percent of around 1,400 participants said cruise ships had a negative effect on Bar Harbor.
The area’s busy season usually runs from spring through fall, with September and October being the busiest months. According to a report from ThePointsGuy.com, Bar Harbor saw 157 cruise ships in 2019 and 174 cruise ships this year.
How It Will Affect Travel Plans
There are still some finer details to iron out. The town will need to establish how to monitor and enforce the limitations. Additionally, the new regulation will take some time to implement. A gradual transition is being planned because most travelers book their cruises well in advance of their vacations.
Bar Harbor isn’t alone in making this type of decision; other cities — like Venice, Italy — have recently placed limitations on cruise ships due to overtourism. These changes are part of a growing conversation about how to travel responsibly.
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