CAPE MAY – Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi (R-1st) hosted an Eco-Agri Tourism Summit Jan. 28 at the Cape May Convention Hall. Sixty confirmed attendees ranging from business owners and county freeholders to managing partners of marketing agencies joined Fiocchi at the summit.
At every seat there was an official New Jersey state map, as well as a packet including the five Eco-Agri bills that Fiocchi recently sponsored and two Assembly resolutions that he also sponsored. The Eco-Agri bills range in topic from establishing the New Jersey Eco-Agri Tourism Council to the concern of promoting and advertising ecotourism and agri-tourism. This summit was happening during the same time period as the Science and Environmental Summit that was being hosted by the Delaware Estuary at the Grand Hotel, and a few attendees of that summit were also present at the tourism summit.
Cape May City Mayor Edward Mahaney Jr. focused his presentation on the sustainability and resiliency in the city of Cape May. His presentation aimed to “focus on one element that is the need to work together.” In his speech, he defined sustainability as sustaining the economic growth, sustaining the city’s infrastructure, and sustaining the affordability of the city. He then went on to explain how the city was going to achieve such goals with initiatives such as wind turbines and redeveloping environmental trails.
Mahaney also explained new projects that are in the works in Cape May including upgrading Rotary Park to include rain gardens, seating areas, and a plaza for more celebrations. He emphasized that tourism is the number one prong of Cape May’s economy, followed closely by the Coast Guard base, and fishing, both commercial and recreational.
Cape May’s budget for 2015 reflects a portion set aside solely for tourism and can include projects such as improvements to the beach front, and free events at the Convention Hall in the summer. Mahaney said of the allotted budget for tourism, beaches and water/sewer, that it has “taken these burdens off our taxpayers.” Those who purchase beach tags, not those who pay taxes, pay for the budget for beach related projects. “The point that holds this whole town together is patriotism,” Mahaney said.
Cape May County Tourism Director Diane Wieland focused on the economic impact of nature-based tourism and the benefits of agri-tourism. She listed some benefits as expanding tourism, and job retention and creation.
Visitors to Cape May who are aware of the “being green” movement want to see a commitment to that notion from Cape May. They want to see things such as a commitment to reducing waste, both of food and resources. Food is another aspect of tourism that Wieland talked about.
Culinary travel has become a big part of tourism and Cape May has a lot to offer in that regard. Wineries, breweries, and a farm to table emphasis at many restaurants are just a few of those amenities.
The goal of nature-based tourism and sustainability of Cape May and beyond is to “reinvent the Garden State,” as Wieland put it, and bring back the history of how New Jersey became the Garden State in the first place.
To contact Jennifer Post, email jpost@cmcherald.com.
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