Maine Businesses Offer Weekday Deals to Boost Slow Season

Visit Portland launches "Winter Weekdays" promotion to drive traffic during off-peak months.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:31pm

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Dozens of restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in Portland, Maine are participating in a new promotion called "Winter Weekdays" launched by the local tourism organization Visit Portland. The goal is to drive more customers to these establishments during the slower winter months by offering special deals and discounts on weekdays.

Why it matters

Maine's tourism industry, especially in the Portland area, faces significant seasonal swings with much higher traffic and revenue during the summer months. Initiatives like "Winter Weekdays" aim to help offset this imbalance by incentivizing more visits during the slower winter season when many businesses struggle.

The details

The "Winter Weekdays" promotion features deals and discounts from over 50 participating businesses in the Portland area, including restaurants offering prix-fixe menus, hotels providing discounted room rates, and other attractions providing special offers. The goal is to drive more foot traffic and sales on weekdays, which are typically slower than weekends for these businesses.

  • The "Winter Weekdays" promotion launched on January 2, 2026 and will run through March 31, 2026.

The players

Visit Portland

The official tourism organization for the city of Portland, Maine that launched the "Winter Weekdays" promotion to drive more business to local restaurants, hotels, and attractions during the slower winter months.

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What they’re saying

“We're hoping that by offering these great deals, we can encourage more people to get out and explore Portland during the winter when things are a bit quieter.”

— Kerri Arsenault, Director of Marketing, Visit Portland

What’s next

Visit Portland plans to evaluate the success of the "Winter Weekdays" promotion at the end of the season and determine if it will be offered again next year.

The takeaway

Seasonal tourism challenges are common in many destinations, and creative promotions like "Winter Weekdays" demonstrate how local organizations can work to drive business during the slower off-peak months.