In each of our monthly Tourism Council meetings thus far this year, we have looked forward with optimism toward 2021, and in our March 19 meeting, we continued our discussion around opportunities and priorities for the year ahead.
The Council discussed plans to organize a “spring social” that would enable members of the region’s tourism community to come together – virtually or in-person – to share updates and questions for the coming summer seasons. This is tentatively planned for early May – we’ll be sharing details shortly on this.
We reviewed the success of the Cape Ann Birding Weekend in early Match, in which we filled all available spots, and members of a Council subgroup reported on progress made in efforts to expand this effort into a “winter season” program in 2022.
The Council also discussed plans to launch a tourism community survey to identify their priorities, questions, and concerns to determine how they see this business sector contributing to the Cape Ann economy. The group plans to initiate further conversations on this in the coming weeks.
The members also agreed on the need to begin a diversity, equity and inclusion discussion, beginning with a kickoff meeting held later in March. Anyone interested in joining this effort should contact me or the Chamber.
We covered a range of other topics in our March meeting: the importance of a focus on visitor experiences, COVID-19 re-openings, shopping trolley plans, visitor rest room options, tourism community networking opportunities, and updates on grant proposals that would support tourism efforts.
We will continue these discussions – and address similar topics of importance to the tourism community — in our next Tourism Council meeting – on Friday, April 16.
If you would like to participate in that meeting – or if you have questions or comments on the Tourism Council or anything discussed here — please call or email me.
Thank you!
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
617-650-2995
