Wildwoods tourism officials expect rebound summer after weak 2009

Executives from the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority believe the Wildwoods will rebound this summer after a weak 2009.

"I feel strong about the summer, I really do," said John Siciliano, executive director and chief financial officer of the authority. "Last year, we did not have a great summer from a weather standpoint. And we were down 6 (percent) to 7 percent. We know the economy was down, but I think the weather had a bigger impact on us than the economy did. So if the weather cooperates, we think people will get in their cars and drive down to the shore."

Siciliano and other tourism executives addressed the media, hotel and motel owners, chamber of commerce board members and politicians Friday during a preseason kickoff to summer on the doo-wop themed island.

The authority's $800,000 advertising campaign will continue to focus on free events offered in the Wildwoods nearly every night of the week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, including live entertainment and fireworks. Its beaches also are free.

"I think we continued the campaign this year because we felt the need was there to continue it," said Siciliano, who added that the campaigns will target markets including Philadelphia, western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern New Jersey, New York and Canada. "I haven't seen a major turn in the economy, so the value aspect to the vacationer is still something that needs to be stressed."

The Wildwoods, which attract more than 9 million tourists annually, will feature more than 180 special events this year, including the Kite Festival on Memorial Day weekend and other mainstays such as the Irish and and Italian festivals, motorcycle rallies and more.

Morey's Piers will offer soccer and lacrosse tournaments on the beach, and a "Curley Fry Food Festival" with amateur and professional eaters. The entertainment organization also will open a new restaurant, Joe's Fish Co., as well as a new top-secret attraction.

A half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will debut across the street from the Wildwoods Convention Center next weekend and is expected to draw thousands of visitors.