The Boston area has probably hundreds of reasonable priced excellent providers.  Whereas Maine has very few good options.  The percentage of ads that appear fake are higher and the rates are as high if not higher for legitimate providers.   Why do so few providers travel less than 2 hours to the Portland area for short stays, especially over the busy summer months.  I would think if anyone did, they would make out very well.  I know less volume looking but also way less competition as well.   Just wondering.  

I'm NOT a Provider, so this is sheer speculation.

Could it be ...

Touring providers often steer clear of Portland primarily because of its challenging winters, which lead to a decline in customer traffic. Furthermore, the city's job market provides few opportunities outside of tourism, making it less attractive for travel companions to visit.  

This year, fewer tourists are visiting the U.S. as Canadian and European travelers are choosing to boycott trips there. Consequently, there has been a significant decline in Portland  Airbnb reservations and Uber rides compared to previous post-COVID years. Portland does not have a convention center, so most tourists in the area are couples or families on vacation. In these situations, it can be challenging for a husband to find a convincing excuse to step away for an hour or two to enjoy time with a provider.