Architectural rendering of proposed "ICONA in Wonderland" resort hotel on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Peter Voudouris, president of the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City, wrote this opinion piece disputing what developer Eustace Mita has said about his proposed luxury resort. The views expressed are his own.
The developer of the proposed Ocean City Boardwalk resort claims that hotels are the primary driver of tourism. As president of the historic Flanders Hotel, I respectfully disagree.
Tourism in Ocean City thrives on unique attractions, natural beauty and vibrant entertainment – not hotels. Accommodations like the Flanders, Tahiti Inn, Harris House and others play an essential supporting role by housing visitors drawn to these attractions.
Over 20 years, I’ve seen this firsthand. Each year, we welcome over 100,000 guests, most of whom flock nightly to Ocean City’s true crown jewel: our family-friendly Boardwalk. This cherished asset sets us apart and remains the primary draw for tourists. Keeping it vibrant and thriving is critical to sustaining our beach town’s appeal.
Ocean City already offers a diverse range of accommodations in quality, quantity and style – and they are not at capacity. A resort would not meet an unmet lodging demand but would instead cannibalize business from existing hotels and guesthouses. Of the projected 1,000 nightly resort guests, it’s reasonable to estimate that 800 would simply shift from other accommodations.
While some may call this the market at work, an all-inclusive resort would fundamentally alter Ocean City’s ecosystem. Smaller hotels encourage guests to venture out to the Boardwalk for dining and entertainment; a resort would keep them on site.
Resorts also do little to attract day-trippers, who are a vital source of Boardwalk traffic. Combined, these factors could reduce Boardwalk foot traffic by as many as 2,000 people per night, costing shops and amusements millions in lost revenue.
Proponents argue the resort will generate new revenue, but that revenue would benefit the resort alone, siphoning it from Ocean City’s small businesses and attractions. In this scenario, the resort wins – but our community and its charm lose.
Peter Voudouris, president, The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City
