07/18/2007

OC Tourism Shifting Gears
By Bob Lassahn

The future of Ocean City (OC) tourism has come into question during recent weeks as representatives of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) and Worcester County Tourism appeared before the county commissioners to describe a visitor base that is either stagnant or shrinking. Agriculture was once a mainstay of the Worcester County economy, but considering that tourism is now a major influence in county economics a reduction in visitors and/or visitor spending is not good news. Added to this, local attractions, some existing for more than 100 years, are now facing financial difficulties due to rising costs and increased taxes pitted against reduced income.

The OC tourist industry has grown from humble roots beginning in 1869 as businessman Isaac Coffin opened the first beachfront cottage for paying guests. Other boarding houses soon followed, but the earliest visitors held no expectations of a boardwalk or amusements, content to enjoy the beach and surf or a bit of fishing.

Prior to 1870 what is known as Ocean City was called "The Ladies' Resort to the Ocean." The Atlantic Hotel, the first major hotel and boasting more than 400 rooms, opened July 4, 1875, offering dancing and billiard rooms in addition to the beach and ocean. By 1878 tourists could reach the western shore of Sinepuxent Bay by railroad from Berlin and by 1881 the line was complete across Sinepuxent Bay bringing rail passengers directly into the town.
One major influence in both OC tourism and commerce came in the form of an unexpected "gift" from Mother Nature when the inlet was formed during a powerful hurricane in 1933. Separating what is now OC from Assateague Island, the inlet helped to establish OC as a commercial and sport fishing port with easy access to the fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean.

Rapid expansion of OC occurred during the post-war boom of World War II. With the completion of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in 1952, OC became readily accessible to visitors from the Baltimore and Washington areas. In 1964 the completion of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel opened a new pathway to the south and OC became one of the prime vacation areas of the East Coast. The 1970s brought big business and the construction of more than 10,000 condominium units where former visitors secured a more permanent piece of paradise.

Ten miles of wide, clean, white sandy beach has likely always been the major draw for OC visitors since its humble beginnings. But as the resort grew shopping, dining, amusements and nightlife became part of the attraction for vacationing families. The three mile boardwalk, named in a Travel Channel survey as third best in the nation, features amusements, an eclectic selection of foods and of course the ubiquitous T-shirt shops that have come to represent the OC experience. Charter boats are available to venture out in search of marlin and tuna, headboats provide less expensive fishing options in the ocean and bay, or simply fish from the bridge, in the surf or from the jetty. It certainly seems like enough.

But visitor tastes and preferences have changed as increasing competition from other vacation destinations has chipped away at the OC customer base. Families that loyally trekked to OC for a two week stay, many renting at the same location year after year, are a thing of the past. Today as families plan their vacation two weeks of playing on the beach followed by evenings of miniature golf simply will not cut it. They want a bigger bang for the buck, new experiences and access to a diverse assortment of things to see and do.
To address this Worcester County Tourism and OCHMRA have launched into a marketing campaign to highlight not only OC proper, but the total package of Worcester County as a tourist Mecca. The attractions of Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke are being wrapped into the package along with the Pocomoke River, the state parks and Assateague National Seashore with its popular "ponies."  (See related story “Worcester County tourism gets boost”)

"Beach and Beyond" is designed to highlight for the potential visitor that while Worcester County still has that beautiful beach, it also offers a diverse assortment of activities. Outdoor types might enjoy hiking, biking, bird watching or kayaking and canoeing, while less athletic activities include museums, arts and cultural offerings and shopping.

While the peak of summer remains a mainstay drawing more than 320,000 visitors on a weekend, the little town of OC, home to just over 7,000 permanent residents has become much more than a summer resort thriving only between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It now draws visitors throughout the year with special events such as Sunfest, Winterfest and Springfest, in addition to hosting a growing convention business.

To keep the visitor here longer the array of touristy things to do west of the Coastal Bays is being pushed to the forefront. OC tourism is shifting gears, hoping the added attractions of Worcester County will keep visitors staying a bit longer and coming back more often to spend their vacation dollars.