Bar Harbor, Maine, has earmarked $9,420 to study the economic impact of cruise passengers visiting. The survey will be conducted by the University of Maine.
The University will distribute around 3,000 surveys to passengers over the 2016 cruise season. The surveys will be returned by mail; with the University estimating it will get 1,000 surveys back, according to an official filing from the Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Committee.
A final report will come before February 1, 2017.
Bar Harbor last did a similar study in 2002, and noted in prior Committee filings that “last year was down for retailers.”
The Maine Port Authority is involved with the survey and is splitting the cost with Bar Harbor, according to a spokesperson.