As the legalization of recreational cannabis attracts more people and cannabis-related businesses to Atlantic City, the resort town is well positioned to become a cannabis tourism destination.
“I think it’s potentially a differentiator for a place like Atlantic City,” said Susan Dupej, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Guelph’s School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management. “So if there’s a tourist deciding on two different cities, and they know that Atlantic City has these potential options for cannabis, that’s a potential differentiator for that particular market.
“Now, granted, that’s a niche market for sure; but it exists, and so if you can draw them into the city with the tourism infrastructure that’s already there, like do it. Leverage what you have.”
Dupej spoke during Stockton University’s LIGHT School of Business Destination Cannabis webinar Friday, which sought to explore the opportunities and impacts cannabis could have on local hospitality and tourism.