But coming up with reasons as to why tourists aren't as plentiful as in years past isn't that easy, particularly with a warm, dry July in the books.

"It's definitely down a little bit, not like we'd like to see for sure," said Stover, general manager of the Tugboat Inn. "It just seems that there are less people in the region."

The difference, though, is by no means an overwhelming one.

"It's a few less dinners, a few less boats in our marina, a few less rooms," she said. "It's a pretty even distribution. It's everywhere."

Reservation patterns have changed too, she added, with advanced bookings on a downward trend.

"We are seeing a lot more shorter-term bookings," Stover said. "Instead of a month ahead, it's a week ahead. People are booking for now."

Across the harbor at Brown's Wharf Inn, general manager Dennis Brown echoed Stover's sentiments.

"So far it's been slow getting started," he said, citing a decline in both reservations and restaurant patrons. "Overall we're behind from last year."

Though gasoline prices have soared in the past year, Brown doesn't see that as a deterrent to area tourism.

"Overall, I don't think an extra $25 to $50 is going to bother [visitors]," he said. "Most of our clientele is going to come regardless. I think it's just one of those down years."

Steve Lyons, a tourism development specialist with the Maine Office Of Tourism, agreed.

"In the past, gasoline prices haven't [been a factor], but in the past gasoline prices haven't been as high as they are now," he said.

The slower tourist season appears to be a statewide issue.

Visits to the seven state-operated information centers scattered along I-95 are down 5 percent to date this year, according to Lyons. Traffic through the York toll plaza on the Maine Turnpike is down three percent.

Acadia National Park, arguably the state's premier tourist destination, has seen visits to its information center drop by 10 percent from last year, he added.

"People might still be a little concerned about the war and terrorism," speculated Lyons. "It's hard to say."

Downtown Boothbay Harbor at Fisherman's Wharf Inn, manager Laura Honey said that a change from early summer rain to mid-summer sun has helped business.

"Tourism is weather driven. We were off in May and June," she said, adding that many patrons have been extending their stays of late.

Honey also discounts that gas prices have had a large impact on business.

"They make a decision to come 15 miles in here," she said. "It's not the happenstance driver passing by who decides to come here."

With over two months left in the season, it'll be business as usual, rain or shine.