Cape May Airport, Lower Township, NJ-Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum will receive funding in 2014 through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Office of Travel & Tourism.  The Aviation Museum will provide a 25% match for the grant with its own funds.  NASW Aviation Museum’s 2014 marketing plan will work toward the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism’s goal of fostering economic growth by increasing tourism expenditures, encouraging long-term stays and promoting New Jersey’s arts, cultural, recreational and leisure opportunities.

The marketing plan “Explore the Shore!” will uniquely blend the museum’s general marketing strategies targeting Mid-Atlantic visitors while also welcoming travellers from Quebec.  The museum will utilize several partnerships, including working with the Cape May County Department of Tourism to target visitors from out of state and Canada.  As stated in the title, the marketing plan will promote New Jersey to travelers and encourage them to visit unique destinations at the Jersey Shore.  A main feature of the marketing plan is to take advantage of technology, including interactive “Explorer” boards at New Jersey rest stops as well as internet and print advertising.  Today, the internet plays a role in 90% of vacation planning activities, so the plan emphasizes the use of social media and online review sites. In 2013, the museum received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence award, an honor reserved for the travel website’s top 10% in positive reviewer feedback.

Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located in Historic Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport, New Jersey. Cape May Airport was formerly Naval Air Station Wildwood, which served as a World War II dive-bomber training center.  The museum is dedicated to the 42 airmen who perished while training at Naval Air Station Wildwood between 1943 and 1945. Winter hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.