New Jersey Officials Report Tourism Industry Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
New Jersey state officials have confirmed that after a continued rebound in 2023 with increased tourist numbers and spending, the state’s tourism industry has finally surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, they anticipate further growth for the industry this year.
According to a new study by the state’s tourism bureau, New Jersey welcomed 1.205 billion tourists in 2023, exceeding the 1.146 billion visitors from the previous year and marking a 4% increase from the record-breaking 1.162 billion tourists in 2019. The research also found that total visitor spending in 2023 reached $49.1 billion, an 8% increase from the previous year and a 6% rise from 2019. The report indicates that last year, tourists spent an average of approximately $134 million per day.
The study revealed that food and beverage spending saw the fastest growth, reaching $13.49 billion, a 10% increase from 2019; entertainment reached $5.9 billion, a 6% increase from 2019; retail reached $8.37 billion, a 1% increase from 2019. Despite a decrease in gasoline prices, continued recovery in air travel raised transportation expenses to $8.2 billion, a 5% increase from 2019. Hotel accommodations totaled $13.09 billion, a 12% increase. Spending on secondary residences and casino revenue also increased by 4% and 2%, respectively.
Overall, the tourism industry generated $78.3 billion in economic income for New Jersey last year, contributing $5.2 billion in taxes to the state and local governments. The industry employed over 501,000 people, accounting for 8.3% of all jobs in the state.
Before the peak summer tourism season arrived, New Jersey’s tourism department launched a series of new digital and print advertisements titled “Little State, Lotta WOW” at the New York train station, showcasing information on the state’s most exciting tourist attractions. They also introduced the New Jersey WOW mobile experience in Times Square. The innovative mobile marketing campaign features immersive video screens aimed at providing visitors with an exciting experience through stunning scenic visuals and sound.
Jeff Vasser, Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, stated, “Although 2023 was a great year for the tourism industry, we are working hard to ensure that 2024 will be even better!”