State Tourism Grant Awarded to Aviation Museum

Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum will receive funding in 2016 through a grant from the State Office of Travel and Tourism. The Aviation Museum will provide a 25 percent match for the grant with its own funds.
NASW Aviation Museum’s 2016 marketing plan will work toward the state Division of Travel and Tourism’s goal of fostering economic growth by increasing tourism expenditures, encouraging long-term stays and promoting New Jersey’s arts, cultural, recreational and leisure opportunities.
The marketing plan, “There’s More to the Shore!” will inform visitors that not every day is a beach day and encourage them to explore some of the county’s best kept secrets such as historic Hangar #1. The indoor Aviation Museum is open all year and is the perfect rainy day destination.
There is no denying that some of the best beaches in the country are found in Cape May County. But while vacationers love to soak up the sun and sand, what can they do when those beach days are spoiled by rain, cold weather, rough surf or sunburn?
There is more to Cape May County than the beach.
The museum will work with several organizations, including the Cape May County Department of Tourism, to target visitors from out of state and Canada.
A main feature of the marketing plan is to take advantage of technology, including interactive “Explorer” boards at New Jersey rest stops as well as internet and print advertising. Today, the internet and mobile platforms plays a role in 90 percent of vacation planning activities, so the plan emphasizes the use of social media and online review sites. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 the museum received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence award, an honor reserved for the travel website’s top 10 percent in positive reviewer feedback.
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located in Historic Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport. The airport was once Naval Air Station Wildwood, which served as a World War II dive-bomber training center. The museum is dedicated to the 42 airmen killed who perished while training at Naval Air Station Wildwood between 1943 and 1945.