Hotels in Ocean City Prepare for the Off Season

OCEAN CITY, Md. – After labor day, Ocean City enters the off-season tourism months. Even though a variety of events will continue to bring guests to the town, hotels and restaurants have to deal with reduced hours and staff.

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

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

Jones explained that one of the main issues for businesses in Ocean City during the shoulder season, is drop-off in staffing due to younger seasonal employees leaving the area.

“We start losing staff.” Said Jones. “So the local American kids are going back to college. The J-1 travel visa, summer work, travel visa, students are heading back. So businesses have to figure it out. How are they going to operate with a reduced staff?”

One suggestion that hospitality coordinators in Ocean City, such as Keith Whisenant, discussed for promoting off season tourism, is bringing a sports complex to the Ocean City area.

“One of the things we really want to do is establish something like a sports complex.” Said Whisenant. “You have Year-Round business, Restaurants don’t have to close. We have a tremendous restaurants in this town that close down for three months out of the year. Hotels don’t have to run, half closed or closed at all.”

A variety of events are still expected to bring thousands of guests to the area during the shoulder season, such as OC Rock & Ride, Ocean’s Calling, and WinterFest.