The weeks from late-October to late November are an important time for Cape Ann’s tourism community, as we bring to close the “bridge” period between the summer season and the holidays. And given the challenges of 2020, the review of our fall tourism experiences and our discussion of plans for the seasons ahead were particularly critical. This was the focus of our November 20 Tourism Council meeting.

We reviewed the Council’s participation in the early November “Coffee & Connections” Zoom session, in which several members of our group shared insights and updates with others from across Cape Ann.

We also talked about the surprisingly positive experiences during the fall season, when some businesses reported improvements over past years, and the steps taken to address the pandemic resurgence in regions around the world in recent weeks.

The majority of the conversations in our November Council meeting focused on new and exciting plans for the holidays, which demonstrated the resilience, determination and innovative the tourism community has shown throughout 2020.  One example of these holiday plans include the Winter Lights program that involves all four Cape Ann communities and other, refocused holiday traditions that ensured an uplifting but safe celebration of the holidays… with “shop local” emphasis. We discussed some of these activities, including Light Up Essex, the All Day versions of downtown Gloucester’s Annual Men’s Night and Annual Ladies Night, Santa’s Tour by Fire Truck in Manchester by the Sea, and Rockport’s Holiday Tree Art Stroll.

And finally, we turned out attention to the months beyond the holidays, continuing to discuss ways the tourism community can attract visitors and serve our residents – as we have throughout the difficult months of 2020.

We will pick up this discussion – and other topics like this — in our next meeting, on December 18, Anyone involved in or interested in our visitor-based economy is welcome to join us for that mroning’ss virtual meeting.

If you would like to participate – or if you have questions or comments on the Tourism Council or anything discussed here — please email me: tsapienza@gmail.com.

Thank you…and Happy Holidays.

Tony Sapienza

Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
President, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce 2020 Board

Chair, Tourism Council