Hotels in Ocean City are preparing for the off-season – 47abc

OCEAN CITY, Md. – After workday, Ocean City enters the off-season tourist months. While events will continue to come to the city, hotels and restaurants will have to deal with reduced hours and staffing.

Susan Jones, CEO of the Ocean City Hospitality Association, explains how important tourism is to the region.

“Because in Worcester County, 55% of all jobs are in the hospitality industry.” Jones said. “So we need to make sure the hospitality industry is protected.”

Jones explained that one of the main challenges for businesses in Ocean City during the off-season is a reduction in workforce due to young seasonal employees leaving the area.

“We’re starting to lose staff.” Jones said. “So, local American kids are going back to college. J-1 tourist visa, summer job, tourist visa, students are coming back. So businesses are going to have to figure that out. How are they going to operate with a reduced workforce?”

One proposal Ocean City hospitality coordinators like Keith Whisenant have discussed to promote off-season tourism is to move the sports complex to the Ocean City area.

“One of the things we really want to do is create some sort of sports complex.” Whisenant said. “You are a year-round business. Restaurants should not be closed. We have amazing restaurants in this city that are closed for three months of the year. Hotels should not be open, half closed or closed at all.”

The area is still expected to host a variety of events during the off-season, such as the OC Rock & Ride, Ocean’s Calling and WinterFest.