Tourism Council January Meeting Recap: Sharing Valuable Updates and Discussing Important Issues
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Tourism Council has long been a valuable resource for the tourism community, allowing its members and guests to share updates on happenings across our businesses and municipalities. While this continues, the Council has taken on another important role, providing a platform for discussion of issues of interest to those who are part of Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy.
This focus on updates and issues was evident in the Council’s latest monthly meeting, on January 17.
The Council heard updates from Cape Ann Museum, which reported on CAM Green. The Green remains open to the public while construction at the museum continues. We heard about plans for Good Harbor Beach Inn, which is set to open this year after major renovations, and how the owners have recently acquired other accommodations in Rockport.
Other updates included plans for Gloucester So Salty, which had a successful return later in January and an upcoming Cape Ann Community Foundation charity event at Harbor 9 on February 6. Gloucester So Salty has become an important winter tourism attraction, while the Foundation remains a valuable contributor to tourism with their promotion of the Cape Ann license plate.
But the discussion of issues impacting the tourism community took center stage at our January meeting, with continued conversations around parking concerns in Gloucester’s St. Peter’s lot, an update on a Wayfinding initiative, and a presentation on Gloucester’s short-term rental ordinance.
On St. Peter’s parking, discussions have focused on changes that would accommodate downtown businesses, which need more parking spaces for its customers and find that currently there is a shortage in that lot due to long-term use. Tourism Council member Larry Maver from Oak to Ember updated us on his continued efforts to reach a better balance of use by residents, employees and visitors.
On Wayfinding, the Council heard that the city is seeking business input – via an online survey being conducted through February 10 – on designs for new wayfinding signage to be placed throughout downtown.
Michelle Williams and Carole Sharoff of Atlantic Vacation Homes provided background on the short-term rental ordinance passed by Gloucester’s City Council in August 2024. Their presentation noted that the ordinance fails to address the intended goals of addressing local housing issues and instead places unfair restrictions on short-term rental providers that play a key role in accommodating visitors. The presentation also reported on efforts to work with the City Council and alternatives to the ordinance that have been proposed. Michelle and Carole encouraged the Council members to understand the facts, to participate in the public discussion, and to voice concerns to the City Council and the mayor.
In future monthly meetings, the Tourism Council will continue to provide a sounding board for issues like this and a platform to share updates across the community. We invite anyone who is involved in Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy or has an interest in joining in these discussions to attend our meetings. The Tourism Council meets on the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices and via Zoom, with our next meeting scheduled for February 17. If you’d like to be added to our email list or share updates with the group, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com