Along Maine’s coastline, where many businesses make the bulk of their annual profit during the summer months, many business owners have been concerned that the rising gasoline prices could cause a big dip in their profits this year. Some, however, have taken proactive measures to help counteract the negative effects of the rising prices.

The Historic Inns of Rockland have advertised a mid-week “Drive Mean To Save Green” package deal. They’ve reportedly offered $10 per car cylinder off the cost of a two-night midweek stay to help offset the $2.70-$2.80 per gallon cost of gasoline in that city.

“We tried to figure out the most equitable way to offer a discount,” explained Frank Isganitis, co-owner of the Limerock Inn. “We figured that the person with the bigger vehicle would be the most in need of the discount.”

Isganitis said the inn is actually doing more business this year than last year. He said that more people seem to be traveling to the Rockland area instead of to the traditional tourist spots.

“I think that they’ve discovered that the `real Maine’ is tucked in between the touristy places,” said Isganitis, who added that marketing cooperatively with two other bed and breakfasts has enabled all three to enlist the services of a nationally recognized publicist.

The owner of the Tidewater Motel on Vinalhaven, Phil Crossman, reported that gasoline on that island was about $3.50 per gallon by Memorial Day. He said that his summer bookings were off about 15 percent but he wasn’t too concerned.

“I don’t expect every year to be a banner year,” commented Crossman, who has seen both good and bad tourist seasons during his 30 years in the motel business.

Crossman said he was advertising more within Maine this year. He expected that rising gasoline prices would probably deter some out-of-state tourists from traveling to the Maine islands. So he decided to focus his efforts on attracting more Mainers to Vinalhaven. He said that what tourists seem to enjoy most about that island is its natural beauty.

“We have a lot of pretty shore area for hiking and birdwatching,” said Crossman. “Four lighthouses can be seen on land or by boat. There’s great sailing…” Another Vinalhaven resident who was feeling the effects of rising gasoline prices is Tory Pratt, who operates The Haven. Pratt said in June that her business was down some from last year but that she isn’t too concerned about it. She said that the weather hasn’t been very conducive to traveling to the island and that it’s still early in the season. However, she acknowledged that the rising gasoline prices have caused a big increase in the cost of both groceries and freight during the last year, which makes life more difficult for anyone in the restaurant business. She said that the cost of electricity has also increased dramatically on the island during the last year.

“Electricity is very expensive,” commented Pratt, who is concerned that the islanders who feel the effects of the rising fuel and utility costs the most are those on fixed incomes.

“I don’t know how those people make it,” stated Pratt.

Although the cost of just about everything is much higher on Vinalhaven, Pratt said that she still enjoys living on the island. “I grew up here. It’s my home,” said Pratt. “I love it here.”

Pratt fuels up on the mainland and burns more firewood at home now.

The Dark Harbor House, located on Islesboro, was also experiencing a decline in business as of June. Gasoline prices on that island, have reportedly ranged from $3.30 to $3.60/gallon during the last month.

“We’re off by 50 percent,” said Chris Dickman in early June when describing business at the Dark Harbor House. “Whether it’s due to the price of gas or not I can’t say, but I have a feeling that it is. If I don’t have houseguests, I don’t have guests in the dining room.”

Dickman said that the Dark Harbor House saw a big decline in business immediately following `911′ but that business has been steady since then.

“Nobody was going anywhere,” shared Dickman. “Last year was a very good year. We get a lot of bike groups.”

Dickman added that many customers have been attracted to the Dark Harbor House because of their chef (who moved to the island after working in a Portland restaurant for many years).

Gasoline prices for tourists traveling to Orrs and Bailey Island, both accessible by road from the mainland, have been slightly lower than in some island areas. The price in nearby Brunswick was around $2.79/gallon in June.

The owner of the Bailey Island Motel, Chip Black, didn’t want to speculate about what effect rising gasoline prices might have on this year’s tourist season.

“In the big picture, later in the season we can have a better assessment of the gas prices’ effect, but I think that it’s too early too tell,” commented Black, who said that his peak season is usually between July and September. He added that while there aren’t many tourist attractions on Orrs and Bailey islands, people often visit there for exactly that reason.

“The islands are quiet and off the beaten path,” commented Black.