Tourism Council June Meeting Update: Insights from Our Diverse and Vibrant Tourism Community
It has been a tremendous spring for the Greater Cape Ann tourism community, in terms of the weather and the events and activities that unfolded across the region.
Summer-like temperatures have attracted visitors to Cape Ann’s beaches, accommodations, restaurants, attractions and natural beauty. The season has also been the backdrop for a number of events and activities that helped draw and entertain tourists – Ipswich’s 80th anniversary D-Day commemoration, the Cape Ann Pride celebrations, and the return of Motif #1 Day in Rockport.
This spring also featured special events that brought together the tourism community – the Tourism Mixer and Visitor Center opening in May and the Cape Ann Community Foundation event in June. The Foundation’s Candlepins for a Cause event was a celebration of the non-profits supported CACF and a recognition of the important role played by the Cape Ann License Plate – the plate is not only a source of funding for the Foundation but also an asset promoting our regions on cars near and far.
All this and more were topics of conversation and discussion at the Tourism Council’s June 21 meeting.
In addition to reflecting on the spring season, we looked at the months ahead, and we were joined by a number of members of the tourism community who came to share updates. The cross-section of those who attended the June meeting are a reflection of the diversity of our tourism community. This included travel blogger Diana Nicolo, New England and Beyond; Friki Tiki’s Ginger Attaya and Kayla Richards; European Wax Center’s Janette Parisi; The Cut’s Tom O’Grady; Oak to Ember’s Larry Maver; and Harbor 9 Golf’s Ana Huddleston.
Our monthly Tourism Council meetings have become a valuable platform for individuals like this to provide insights on the businesses and services for Cape Ann visitors. At our June meeting, Matt McKenzie and Chris Moore from CraneOutdoors shared updates on kayaking, hikes, classes, and celebrations offered at the Crane Estate in Ipswich.
We also had former guest presenters – including representatives from CATA and the Open Door – and regular participants from The Vista, Cape Ann Motor Inn, Emerson Inn, Rocky Neck Cultural District, Hammond Castle, and Discover Gloucester, as well as Cape Ann board member Ron Elkin (The Computer Doctor).
While the group was diverse, they shared a common interest: improving Cape Ann’s tourism business and creating better experiences for visitors to our region. An example of this was a long discussion around ways to improve the travel options for the visitors traveling to and around Cape Ann.
We’ll continue conversations on this topic and other issues important to the tourism community in future Tourism Council meetings, held on the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices — and via Zoom. We invite anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy to join us – our next meeting is scheduled for July 19. If you’d like to join us, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com