Visitor Services reports small dip in visitors; summer staffing and kiosk traffic highlighted

Acting visitor services coordinator Shanta Bloise Murphy reported to the Visitor Services Advisory Committee on Oct. 14 that July–September visitor activity produced roughly 495,700 unique visitor sessions and about 2,000,000 total visits to the island during that period.

“Over those three months, we enjoyed 495,700 unique visitors, which resulted in 2,000,000 visits to the island,” Murphy said, adding that average visits per visitor in the data set were about 4.07 and that seasonal residents are included in those figures. She told the committee that visitor counts showed a small decrease of 0.5% from the prior year, a 1.4% decline from two years prior and a 6.7% decline versus three years prior.

Murphy reported that JetBlue (Logan Terminal 2 noted as especially busy) and steamship service were top transport means and that the New Bedford ferry was busy. She also said the town’s cultural council was awarded $7,500 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and that the cultural district received $15,000 in a later grant cycle.

Murphy said filming on the island wrapped Oct. 1 after beginning Sept. 10, and that staff will continue to update film and special events policy and fee structures. She said Halloween street permits and parade plans were in progress for Oct. 31.

Visitor touchpoint numbers from David Sharp’s office showed an increase in help interactions at the town’s fixed locations: the main office at 25 Federal, the Straight Wharf kiosk and the airport kiosk. The mobile kiosk was out of service early in the season after rodent damage to wiring but returned to service in August.

Committee members asked about staffing and airport desk numbers; staff explained a long‑time airport desk attendant sold her home and staffing required training new hires, which affected early‑season coverage.

Votes at a glance

• Approval of June 12 meeting minutes — approved by roll call (Liz Holland: yes; Garrison Beale: yes; Matt Peele: yes; Mary Malivase: yes; Niles Parker: yes; Chair Chantal: aye). (Motion and second not specified in the record.)

• Motion to adjourn at 8:55 a.m. — approved by roll call (Garrison: yes; Niles: yes; Matt: yes; Liz: yes; Chair: aye). (Mover/second not specified in the record.)

Murphy said the office hired two high‑school–aged seasonal staffers (one local, one bilingual) who assisted with passports and children’s beach programming. She reported the office provided children’s beach activities five days most weeks over a roughly 10‑week span, and that the office is preparing for holiday events including Nantucket Noel and Thanksgiving programming.