GOP’s ‘New Direction’ Discusses Travel, Tourism in Slow Economy

The following was issued by Brendan M. Sciarra on Monday, April 5:
WILDWOOD — New Directions, a group of young Republicans from the County Regular Republican Organization, organized a forum on Monday, April 4, 2010, of concerned business owners, community members and elected officials to begin to address the challenges associated with travel and tourism in a down-turned economy.
Brendan Sciarra, the Republican State Committee man and one of the founding members of New Direction, held the event at his establishment, the Dog Tooth Bar and Grill in Wildwood, “inviting everyone to continue to work together for the benefit of all the businesses and residents of the Wildwoods.”
Sciarra stated “the idea behind this forum was not to negate or discount any of the great work that is already being done on behalf of travel and tourism within our county – – or on this island, but simply to add to the creative ideas that already out there. The fact that the downturn that we are experiencing in the Wildwoods is really no different than any where else across this nation is not an excuse for us not to try to do all we can to do to attract new business and make our product the best it can be.”
Special guest speaker Curtis Bashaw, former Executive Director of CRDA (Casino Redevelopment Authority) and Co-Managing partner of Cape Advisors which owns and operates properties in Cape May, Atlantic City, New York and in other states, spoke to a crowd of about seventy-five people, which included County Clerk Rita Fulginitti, Freeholder Ralph Bakely, and Freeholder Candidate and businessman John McCann. Bashaw focused on creative, cooperative solutions that the business and community leaders of the Wildwoods could explore.
Bashaw emphasized that while there are always cycles in most travel destinations, the resorts which are able to recover are those communities which see the downtimes as opportunities to strategically plan for the future: building upon their strengths, while critically accessing their weaknesses. In his motivational-type address, Bashaw encouraged the group to define their “squigee battle” suggesting that the Wildwoods could follow Rudy Guiliani’s example in NYC where he began his battle to improve the city’s reputation by first eliminating one negative aspect of the city that everyone could agree upon.
Bashaw commented “I was very happy that Brendan asked me to share with his group the insight and experience that I have gained through my years in the travel and tourism industry. I believe that in addition to having the best free beaches in New Jersey, the Wildwoods have a great value to offer families, especially in today’s economy. I am impressed with the forward-thinking demonstrated by this New Directions forum and I think only good things can come when all the shore resorts work together to promote our great communities.”
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Sciarra’s Introductory Remarks of Curtis Bashaw
We appreciate your taking the time from your busy schedules to be here this afternoon. Just with your presence here today, we continue the discussion of how the travel and tourism industry can adjust to the challenges of today’s economy.
The idea behind this forum was not to negate or discount any of the great work that is already being done on behalf of travel and tourism within our count – – or on this island, but simply to add to the creative ideas that already out there.
The fact that the downturn that we are experiencing in the Wildwoods is really no different than any where else across this nation is not an excuse for us not to try to do all we can to do to attract new business and make our product the best it can be.
For our first session, I have asked Curtis Bashaw, former Executive Director of the Casino Redevelopment Authority and Co-Managing partner of Cape Advisors which owns and operates properties in Cape May, Atlantic City, New York and in other states, to give us the benefit of some of his wide-ranging experience in the travel and tourism industry. Like us, he knows that marketing and new ideas can often make the difference between a good season and a bad one. I am very grateful to Curtis that he agreed to come and give us his unique perspective on the issue at hand.
Please join me in welcoming my friend and colleague Curtis.