Jersey Shore Towns Hoping Pope's Philly Visit Helps Draw Crowds To Beach Too
By Andrew Kramer
CAPE MAY COUNTY, N.J. (CBS) - Beach season has only just begun, but Pope Francis' visit to the region already has some Jersey Shore towns thinking about the fall.
The World Meeting of Families is expected to draw around 1.5 million people to the area the last weekend in September, which also typically is a popular time for many to visit the shore.
Michele Gillian with the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce thinks the Pope coming to Philadelphia might even help bring new faces to the beach:
"We think we have the opportunity of welcoming down maybe not our traditional guests that always come, but might be up in the Pennsylvania area that would like to get out of that hectic traffic."
Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio says there are plenty of people who want to escape the huge crowds expected in Philadelphia:
"Realtors have been getting calls about renting homes for the week when the Pope is here."
One of Margate's biggest events of the year falls on the same weekend as the Papal Visit. Even so, Ed Berger with the Margate Business Association doesn't expect a drop in attendance:
"I think we're still going to do great with Fall Funfest by the Bay. I think that people from around the world get excited when (the Pope) comes into an area and it's a very important event for the region."
Also that weekend is Wildwood's annual Irish Fall Festival. John Siciliano with the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority doesn't feel they'll have to compete with the Pope's visit, however...
"There are people that are going to want to be a part of what's going on in the Philadelphia area, but at the same time, while you're (in Philadelphia), come see what we have to offer."
And with the beaches being less than a 90 minute drive from Philadelphia, many Jersey Shore towns feel the same way.
