Tourism Council August Meeting Update: Focusing on Summer Fun and Creating a Brighter
Future for Greater Cape Ann

Summer 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most successful ever for Greater Cape Ann’s tourism community, but we are doing more than celebrating the good times – we’re working to ensure a brighter future for the region.

In the August 16 meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council, we reviewed the summer so far, looked ahead to plans for the final weeks of the season, and discussed issues that will help the tourism community – and others across the region – as we move forward into late 2024 and beyond.

We reflected on the many successful summer events that took place over the past month, including Manchester’s Festival By The Sea, the Waterfront Festival, Ipswich’s Downtown Tuesdays, and the Gloucester Block Party nights and weekly Culture Splash activities. Tourists were major participants in – and beneficiaries of these events – and in our meeting, we talked about the additional opportunities ahead later in the summer, including the final Block Party and Culture Splash happenings, the Labor Day weekend Schooner Festival and the Blackburn Brewfest on September 21. A number of Tourism Council members also talked about plans for their business, including a Second Glance fashion show at The Cut (September 8) and Cape Ann Foodie Tours and Crane Estate events and activities.

Members of the Tourism Council at the August meeting reported on the impact all this – and the ideal summer weather – had on their businesses in 2024, including longer stays for visitors, more long-term rentals, and interest extending into the fall season.

While the summer season was the primary focus of our August meeting, the Tourism Council continues to look longer term, not only to the fall, winter and spring but to the years ahead and how we can best support the growth of Greater Cape Ann’s tourism community.

The Council also discussed issues of importance to tourism businesses, including the push to expand Lyft/Uber service to/from Cape Ann and to extend Commuter Rail service, topics recently addressed in a Chamber meeting with Senator Tarr. We also talked about efforts to improve the management of St. Peter’s Square parking, a desire to clean and update the spaces along the harbor, and concerns about possible restrictions on vacation rentals. The group also talked about ways to promote the Cape Ann license plates to Massachusetts residents who might be interested in showing their love for the region.

There will be more discussions like on September 20, when the Tourism Council meets again. We invite anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy to join us for this or future monthly meetings. Our Tourism Council meets 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 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