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JON S. CORZINE |
VIRGINIA S.
BAUER |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact:
Karen Wolfe |
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Upbeat Figures for Summer Shore Hotel Occupancy Released Trenton—Hotel occupancy rates in the state’s shore counties rose 1.5% for summer 2006, according to Commerce Secretary Virginia Bauer. Figures from Smith Research Associates show that occupancy increased from 74.2% to 75.2% for the months of June, July and August over the same period a year ago. Net revenues also increased by 6.46% to $371.68. (net revenue is room revenue divided by rooms available.) “These strong numbers are a preliminary indication of a successful summer season,” said Secretary Bauer. “While we experienced higher gas prices and some wet weather days, visitors still traveled and vacationed in the Garden State to enjoy our 127 miles of shoreline.” Many shore businesses have indicated that the overall good weather days brought many visitors to the shore this year. Areas such as Avon (up nearly 1%) and Long Beach Township (up 12%) experienced increases in beach badge revenues. In Seaside Heights, beach and parking revenues were on a par with 2005 figures, which was their best year. Atlantic City reported significant improvements as well. The South Jersey Transportation Authority indicated travel to the shore for June, July and August rose. For June, more than 4.3 million visitors traveled to the area, up 3.29% from the previous year. July vacationer grew to more than 4.9 million, a 1.68% rise. August numbers totaled more than 4.9 million, a 5.17% increase from last year. Casino revenues also experienced growth for summer 2006. June totals increased 5.9%. While July’s numbers were down from last year, results still made it the third highest month of win in the history of Atlantic City. August numbers rebounded with a 4.5% increase from the previous year. Positive trends have continued into the fall season. Occupancy for the start of the summer’s second season, which traditionally begins right after Labor Day, rose 2.1% for the month of September compared to a year ago. Additionally, revenues increased 5.54% to $300.48. New Jersey’s second season at the Shore, which lasts from Labor Day until late October, is considered a time when the weather is often gorgeous, the crowds dwindle and shore towns hold a diverse array of events to attract visitors for quiet weekend getaways. Tourism in New Jersey is an economic generator. In 2005 alone, revenues generated grew by 12.5% to $36.3 billion as visitation also rose a healthy 4.2%, from 69.3 million visitors to 72.2 million, due to a nearly 9% increase in overnight visits. Visitors from other states represented the largest portion of tourism expenditures at 67%. Travel by New Jersey residents totaled 19%.
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