(Oct. 1, 2025) CAPE MAY, N.J. - For the fourth year in a row, the American Bus Association’s Destinations magazine has named Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) a Best of the Best honoree in the “Culture” category, recognizing its exceptional contributions to the group travel industry.
Each year, the Best of the Best awards spotlight businesses that set the standard for excellence across key travel categories including adventure, culture, entertainment, festivals & events, food & beverage, lodging and shopping. These standout businesses and organizations help make group travel both possible and memorable, and include destinations such as Longwood Gardens, The Philadelphia Flower Show and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
This year, Cape May MAC was recognized for its “enriched trolley tours” which include histories of Black Americans from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, broadening visitors' appreciation of the city’s diverse past. Additionally, a new tour, Black Legacy in Historic Cape May Trolley Tour, honors the significant contributions of Cape May’s African American community as an essential part of the city’s story.
“At the American Bus Association, we’re proud to recognize organizations like Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) who raise the bar in the culture space,” said ABA President & CEO Fred Ferguson. “This year’s honorees reflect the very best of what group travel has to offer — innovative experiences, unwavering hospitality, and a genuine commitment to connecting people to places in meaningful ways. Their work continues to inspire travelers and strengthen our $100 billion industry.”
“Cape May MAC’s team coordinates private group tours with professionalism and efficiency, working with group travel leaders throughout the year and throughout the United States and Canada,” said Cape May MAC Director and CEO Jody Alessandrine. “We are extraordinarily proud of our team and honored to be recognized by the ABA.”
Cape May MAC, a Southern Shore destination marketing organization (DMO) partner, annually hosts over 300 motorcoach groups, organizing over 800 tours and events for nearly 25,000 travelers. Visitors can explore the largest concentration of Victorian seaside architecture in the nation, delve into maritime history, witness breathtaking sunsets and more. Cape May MAC offers customizable tours, including one-day, multi-day, seasonal, and themed options providing memorable group travel experiences.
As the nation’s oldest seaside resort, Cape May’s Historic District was added to the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, making it unique in the nation. On Sept. 16, 2024, Congress amended this designation to acknowledge the historic contributions of African Americans, marking a significant first in national landmark history. This amendment highlights a previously overlooked aspect of Cape May’s cultural heritage.
“This is the fourth year in a row that Cape May MAC has won a Best of the Best Award in the Culture category from the American Bus Association,” said Director of Tour Operations Nanci Coughlin. “I think it reflects our team’s ongoing commitment to excellence and the passion we bring to sharing Cape May’s unique history and beauty with groups who travel here from all over the country.”
In 2022 and 2023, Cape May MAC was recognized for attractions that represent the diversity and character of the United States, including the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. In 2024, Cape May MAC was recognized for walking tours and the addition of Whisper units, which improve the listeners’ experience.
“We are very proud to have been chosen again as an American Bus Association winner in the culture category,” said Group Tour Manager Susan Gibson. “Our team at Cape May MAC works hard to make the group tour experience second to none for all we serve.”