COVER STORY

Water loves relax at Water Country. Photo: Jamie Cohen

In Portsmouth there are historic house tours, literary tours, garden tours, and ghost tours. One day you could even see a guided Segway tour. Kathryn Stewart envisions just such a scenario as part of her business, Seacoast Fun Rides. "I’m exploring the options," she said. Tourism in the Port City, established 1623, is a real million-dollar baby. It’s one good reason businesses assess where they fit into the picture - or better put, how they can cash in.

Artists to authors are among those in northern New England tapping into the tourist trade, said Steve Lyons of the Maine state Office of Tourism.

Agricultural businesses, such as family farms and farm stands, are some of the latest to jump aboard.

"They’re starting to come into the fold more," Lyons said. Locally made products have long been at the forefront as Maine and New Hampshire market their unique states. Artists, gardeners, craftsmen, and writers have found ways to partner with existing businesses. "Homemade" is a strong selling point, said Lyons, who hails from the state with its ubiquitous "Made in Maine" logos.

Cathy Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, is seeing a flourishing specialty foods market take advantage of seasonal crowds. This gourmet food industry, from mom-and-pop shops to larger businesses, includes Beach Pea Baking Co. in Kittery and Stonewall Kitchen in York (with locations including Portsmouth and North Conway in New Hampshire).

Stewart began her Seacoast Fun Rides business about a year ago. She recalled getting hooked on Dean Kamen’s Segway Human Transporter because it was so fun and easy to ride. She got the idea for a Segway tour after enjoying a similar tour in Portland.

The certified flight instructor and certified Segway coach from Hampton Falls is weighing her plan and she has yet to discuss it with any city officials. But she has dropped her business card off at the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce.

That is always a good idea, said Marge Hubbard, the chamber’s tourism manager, who is dedicated to promoting all the city has to offer. Hubbard said any business interested in complementing the travel and tourism offerings should consider their product or idea and marketing opportunities. Besides local chambers of commerce, Hubbard recommends people get in touch with the state Travel and Tourism office, which has a deep Rolodex and promotional support.

 What are your ideas for succeeding in the tourism business? Post your comments here!
What are your ideas for succeeding in the tourism business?

One good bet? Have fun and dare to be a little different. Hubbard noted that ideas that create buzz and keep people talking tend to stick around.

Like a guided Segway ride down a historic street. If that ever comes to fruition, it sure would make a great chapter in a school child's September essay, "How I spent my summer vacation."