Tourism Council Update – October 2025
Tourism Council September Update: Spotlighting Tourism’s Role in the Greater Cape Ann Economy
Tourism is an increasingly important part of the Greater Cape Ann economy, and that was made clear in the September 19 meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council. In addition to encouraging summer 2025 updates from Tourism Council members, we heard from special guest speaker Nancy Gardella of the North of Boston Visitor and Convention Bureau, who shared data that reinforced the economic contributions of the region’s tourism businesses. Nancy also talked about the promise of even greater successes in 2026.
Nancy pointed out that tourism is the third largest segment of the state’s economy, and North of Boston – with Greater Cape Ann as its hub – is the the third largest region for tourism in Massachusetts. Tourism has made a good recovery from the down years around the pandemic, and Council members echoed this with reports of strong performances from local tourism-focused businesses – including accommodations, restaurants and attractions – this summer. The Council talked about the boost tourism received from the warm and dry weather of summer 2025 and the success of happenings like the Bunker Hill Reenactment, the Fiesta and the Waterfront Festival. And as Nancy pointed out, the year ahead looks promising with Sail Boston, the FIFA soccer tournament, and more Mass 250 celebrations coming in 2026.
While trends are encouraging, the Council did talk about the need to remain focused on maximizing opportunities – strengthening efforts aimed at international visitors, better cultivating cruise ship visits, and attracting more tourists in the shoulder seasons around summer.
In addition to positive summer season reports, other Council member updates that added to the tourism community’s confidence as we look to the future included an increase in CATA ridership, growing Discover Gloucester website traffic, strong long-term rental business, and the positive response to plans for the fall season events.
Topics like these will be on the agenda for our next meeting, on October 17. 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
