Tourism Council Update – April 2026
Gearing Up for Greater Cape Ann’s Busiest Tourist Months
We are just beginning to enjoy milder temperatures and see flowers and trees start to come alive, but the Greater Cape Ann tourism community is already hyper-focused on spring and summer – the busiest months of the year for our visitor-based economy.
That was apparent at the most recent monthly meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council, on March 20. The Council covered a wide range of topics, including a look ahead to Rockport’s Motif No.1 Day, a preview of June’s Battle of Gloucester, continued discussions around seasonal transportation services, additional details on May’s region-wide Tourism Mixer, tourism insights from the Chamber’s Economic Outlook Breakfast, and updates from Tourism Council members.
One of the first happenings of the tourism season will be Motif No.1 Day on May 16, a day-long celebration of Rockport’s artistic and cultural heritage. Earlier in May, Greater Cape Ann’s tourism community will gather for the Chamber’s annual Tourism Mixer, on May 12. As we do every year, the Mixer will bring together representatives from the region’s accommodations, restaurants, museum, attractions and other businesses and organizations that serve Greater Cape Ann visitors. This year, the Mixer will be held at the Rockport Art Association & Museum, which will allow us to celebrate the important role arts and culture play in the region’s tourism experience.
On June 20 & 21, Revolutionary War re-enactors return to Stage Fort Park for the Battle of Gloucester, one of the defining moments of our country’s fight for independence. The Council heard from some of the event’s planners, who spoke about the historic significance of the battle and expectations for this two-day re-enactment, which will take place on land and in Gloucester Harbor. The Battle of Gloucester comes on the heels of 2025’s Battle of Bunker Hill, which attracted thousands to Cape Ann.
The Council shifted the focus from a look back on our colonial heritage to a look ahead to the Cape Ann License Plate and our non-profit community. On June 17, the Cape Ann Community Foundation will hold its third annual Candlepins for a Cause fundraiser, where the non-profit recipients of the Foundation’s 2026 grants will be feted. The Foundation is responsible for sales of the Cape Ann License Plate, which generates funds for the non-profit grants and helps to promote.
The Council again discussed a topic first raised in last month’s meeting – steps that could be taken to improve tourism transportation. The group was reminded to help CATA find the additional drivers needed to expand transportation services.
Other issues impacting the tourism community were raised in the Chamber’s March 19 Economic Outlook Breakfast, and the Council heard insights from that meeting, which looked at the economic forces shaping Greater Cape Ann’s future. At that breakfast, tourism was called out as a top-3 industry for the state, and on Cape Ann, tourism was also credited with helping to spotlight the beauty and benefits of the region for prospective homeowners and employers.
Cape Ann’s beauty and benefits were evident in updates shared by Council members in our March meeting.
In our next Tourism Council monthly meeting, on April 17, we’ll hear more member updates and get an update from Cape Ann Museum, which is planning its grand reopening. We’ll review topics covered at the March 24 & 25 Governor’s Council on Tourism and discuss final plans for the Tourism Mixer and other industry events as we prepare for the summer season.
Anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Greater Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy and/or wants to be part of discussions like these is invited to join us on April 17 and future meetings. We gather on the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices — and via Zoom. If you’d like to be part of these meetings, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com
Learn more about the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Tourism Council