Tourism Council Update – November 2025
Tourism Council October Update: Celebrating Summer, Focusing on the Fall
October is a turning point month for the tourism community on Greater Cape Ann, as we welcome fall and bid farewell to summer. This was the focus of the October 17 meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council, which gathered to reflect on the summer’s successes and the promise of fall.
With the final weeks of summer in our rear-view mirror, Tourism Council members looked back on what was some of the best weather we’ve seen in recent years, which provided a valuable boost to tourism activity. This was evident in reports from accommodations, restaurants and attractions alike, as well as from CATA, which saw ridership rise in summer 2026. The buzz around Greater Cape Ann tourism was great as well, with traditional news reports and much social media activity. The group agreed that we must continue to make sure the region’s tourism story is told, by inviting and hosting travel writers and other influencers and using our own social media channels to post updates, blogs and videos.
The bulk of the Council’s October meeting focused on the fall, beginning with a recap of early autumn events like the Blackburn Brewfest, Cape Ann Plein Air, and the Cape Ann Artisans Fall Tour, all of which attracted – and delighted – visitors. The Council also reviewed upcoming fall milestones – the Rockport Harvest Fest, the Essex ClamFest and Halloween. While Halloween fell after the Council’s mid-month meeting, the group reported that many of those coming to celebrate this haunted holiday visited earlier in October and used Cape Ann as a gateway to activities in nearby Salem. We’ll have a full recap of Halloween and these other fall activities in our next meeting.
While the uptick in tourist visits in October was encouraging, the Council agreed that we need to continue to focus on the fall season and promote the region as a year-round destination. Council members discussed opportunities to spotlight topics like convenience of train travel to and from Cape Ann, the area’s many breakfast destinations, new event venues like Tonno’s Blackburn Room, and the return of Cape Ann Marina’s winter igloos. We also talked about the Chamber’s upcoming All Hands on Deck auction on November 13, which will include items from the region’s tourist community.
This focus on the fall, winter and spring – including the all-important holiday season – will be on the agenda for our next meeting, on November 21. Anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy is invited to join us for this and upcoming 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
Learn more about the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Tourism Council
