Q&A with Eric Turkington
by Cape Business staffThe state representative from Falmouth heads a new joint committee on tourism, giving Cape Cod a new ally with considerable power on Beacon Hill.
You have been appointed charter co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. What is the rationale for combining these worlds into a new legislative panel?
Until now, tourism, the arts and cultural affairs have been the stepchildren of the Legislature. Tourism was absorbed into the labor committee; arts and culture into education. New House and Senate leaders understood it was time to restructure the committee system to reflect 21st-century realities. What often drive tourists to the Cape and Massachusetts are the art, history and culture of the place.
What can the Legislature do through your committee to stimulate the tourism industry?
One thing, obviously, is more funding.
I am intrigued by the opportunity to enhance the film industry in the state. When people see our locales in a movie, it gives them a reason to come here.
How important is the arts community on Cape Cod to the peninsula’s overall economy?
The arts and culture and history of Cape Cod are clear draws for new residents, above and beyond tourists. And second-home owners and retirees come here with significant wealth and the proclivity to spend money. They also will demand culture year-round, not just in the summer.
What are your initial priorities for the joint committee?
All over the state we have historic buildings, performing arts centers, art galleries – both private and public – in some stage of physical dilapidation. They need help to maintain themselves and expand. Secondly, it is finding the money to market the Cape and the state to visitors.
How can the Cape develop the arts community to stimulate greater tourism?
The tourism world needs to know what the arts and culture community is doing so they can get the word out to their customers. Meanwhile, the arts community needs the rest of the world – through the hotels, motels and restaurants – to know in a timely way what’s available, so they can fill up their seats.
Does Beacon Hill recognize the importance of the Cape’s tourism economy for state revenues?
I don’t think they do. The Cape and Islands represents the second biggest source of state revenues for hotel and motel taxes behind Boston. But I would bet that 95 percent of my colleagues on Beacon Hill have no idea of that fact. One of my chief roles as committee co-chair is to educate them.
How do you see the industry improving over the next year or two?
Unfortunately, the biggest variable is the weather. With due respect, we can run the finest restaurants and hotels in the country, but with bad weather, people won’t come.
Still, there are new opportunities, beginning with promoting the heck out of the new Sagamore Bridge flyover. By the end of 2006, we can promote easier and faster access to a Cape vacation or long weekend.
Eric Turkington is the Massachusetts state representative for the districts of Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.
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