Tourism in Cape May County, like many other counties across the state, is down this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cape May County officials say that they are used to relying on tourists from out of state and Canada to bolster their revenue.

“This season, this year, is going to be one that really is going to take us time to recover from,” says tourism director Diane Wieland.

There are now 34 states on New Jersey’s travel advisory list, including neighboring Delaware. People who come to New Jersey from those states are being asked to quarantine for 14 days before going out in public.

“As soon as that list came out or has states added, we get calls that cancellations are coming in and concerned about, ‘What am I supposed to do? I can’t quarantine if I’m only there for a week.’ So they’re going to find other places to go,” says Wieland.

Wieland says that Canadian tourists are also very loyal to Cape May County. But with the border between the United States and Canada closed until late August, tourists won’t be able to come this year.

Wieland says that 7% of the Cape May County visitor base in July and August is typically Canadian tourists. She says that she predicts that the county will lose about $2 billion in tourism and hopes that August sees more openings rather than more closings.

And if Pennsylvania gets added to the travel advisory list?

“We’re done. Yeah, Pennsylvania. That is a big draw for us and so many of our second-homeowners are also…47% of our dwellings are considered secondary vacation homes. So, when you take a look at that, that would really be devastating,” Wieland says.