Looking Back on a  Busy Fall and Looking Ahead to the Holidays and a Promising Winter Season

November is a cornerstone month for Greater Cape Ann’s tourism community, offering us an opportunity to reflect on the increasingly important fall season and to look ahead to the always eventful holiday weeks. 

In our November 17 meeting, the Tourism Council addressed these topics and more – and as in recent months, there were many reasons for optimism.

Among the highlights in this fall season were the Cape Ann Museum’s Hopper exhibit and Halloween visitors.  All of the Council members reported an uptick in activity due to the Hopper exhibit, which wrapped up in October.  A particularly positive note was the number of first-time visitors and those who came from other parts of the country – and the world – for the exhibit and stayed to shop, eat and enjoy the region’s accommodations.

Halloween has long been a magnet for visitors to the North Shore, and while many come for the happenings in Salem, an increasing number of tourists are staying – and shopping and dining – on Cape Ann.

As a result of these and other fall activities – including Cape Ann Plein Air, autumn foliage, the special fall events across the region – Council members reported that was one of their best seasons ever.  All this despite continuing weather challenges. This was encouraging news given that many consider the fall the region’s most important tourist season after the summer months.

The weather was also a key topic in a look back at summer 2023, which was the subject of a comprehensive Summer Season in Review organized by Discover Gloucester and the Chamber.  An October 27 meeting at the Gloucester Stage included a report on tax trends – an indicator of business trends – and updates from various segments of the business community. In nearly all cases, the updates and expectations were positive – a particularly notable development given the difficult weather throughout most of mid-year.

The October Tourism Council meeting also included a review of the recent NY International Travel Show, where Cape Ann was represented by Discover Gloucester and the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau – an effort aimed at attracting new visitors to the region.

Finally the November meeting looked ahead to the 2023 holidays and winter 2024, which promise to be eventful months for the tourism community, with a new lobster trap Christmas tree and the traditional holiday activities and the return of Cape Ann Winter Lights and Gloucester So Salty.  The group was also optimistic about the opening of The Cut and interest in winter birding.  These and other topics will be on the agenda for future Tourism Council meetings.

Anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Cape Ann’s tourism economy is invited to join our monthly 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 discussions, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.

Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com