Community Destination Academy Provides Crucial Support in the Rangely Lakes Region

The Center brought the Community Destination Academy (CDA) to the Rangeley Lakes region in Maine in spring 2019 to help community leaders understand emerging travel trends, enhance the area’s destination appeal, and capitalize on related economic opportunities.

After the training, the CDA helped the community put their new ideas to work by funding several key projects and — when Covid-19 interrupted the flow of tourists to the region — the Center supported the Rangeley Rises program to address urgent community needs.

The Academy

In partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, and Rangeley Health and Wellness, the Center convened more than two dozen business, non-profit, and municipal leaders for four days of workshops.

The CDA addressed emerging travel and tourism trends, “experience development,” destination marketing, financing and grant writing, and strategies for working together to position the Rangeley region as a dynamic destination for visitors and new residents.

Community Investments

After the workshops, the Center continued to work with the Rangeley CDA leadership to pursue community-level projects ranging from new shared booking partnerships to pursuit of Dark Skies Community designation. We also contracted marketing support to better align the area’s “brand position” with emerging travel and tourism trends.

The CDA program also helped Rangeley area leaders develop plans and technical designs for a new visitor wayfinding system. And in spring 2020, the Center awarded the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust a $36,000 grant to install new wayfinding signs and kiosks through our Northern Forest Destination Development Program.

Support Through Pandemic

When the Covid-19 outbreak forced the community to refocus its energy on immediate health needs, food insecurity, student learning, and helping businesses survive, the Center shifted its focus as well.

Through support for Rangeley Rises, the Center helped tourism businesses navigate changing regulations, implement best practices as recommended by the Maine CDC, and promote the Rangeley region as a conscientious and safe travel destination. As part of this work more than 70 area business embraced the Rangeley Rises Safety Pledge and benefited from a robust digital marketing campaign to attract safety conscious travelers.

Projects in Community

Mike Wilson

Senior Program Director

Cell: 603-731-0558

Community Destination Academy Provides Crucial Support in the Rangely Lakes Region

The Academy

Community Investments

Support Through Pandemic

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