For
Immediate Release:
May 20, 2019
Freeholders
& tourism partners kick-off summer season
Freeholder Director announces 2018 tourism statistics and contest
winners
BELMAR, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders
celebrated the start of the 2019 summer tourism season today, alongside their
tourism partners and fellow elected officials, at a press conference near the
beach in Belmar. Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone discussed the importance
of the tourism industry and its economic impact on Monmouth County.
“Tourism is a $2.6 billion industry
in Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Director Arnone, liaison to the Department
of Public Information and Tourism. “The fiscal impact of the tourism industry
benefits everyone from small business owners to the nearly 30,000 residents who
have tourism employment.”
Monmouth County has seen continued
growth in the volume of visitors over the last decade. In 2018, 8.6 million
visitors made their way to Monmouth County – an increase from the 8.2 million
estimated to have traveled to the area in 2017, according to the New Jersey
Division of Travel and Tourism 2018 economic report. In 2018, Monmouth County
was one of the top five most visited counties in the State.
“The Monmouth County Division of
Tourism works throughout the entire year to market and promote our area to
potential visitors throughout the Northeast,” Freeholder Director Arnone. “As a
result of our efforts, we continue to see growth in the number of day trips,
weekend trips and family vacations.”
Monmouth County has also seen a
continued increase in visitor spending each year. In 2018, visitors spent
nearly $2.6 billion on lodging, food, retail, recreation, transportation and
second homes.
Freeholder Director Arnone emphasized
the importance of extending the tourism season and noted how Monmouth County is
becoming known as a four-season destination.
“Monmouth County offers visitors
much more than just a trip to the Jersey Shore,” Freeholder Director Arnone
said. “Monmouth County is also known for its downtowns, arts and entertainment,
cultural and historical sites, dining, shopping and outdoor activities.”
Freeholder Director Arnone today also
announced the winners the of third-annual Monmouth County Summer Kick-off
Poster Contest, open this year to fourth-grade students at Belmar Elementary
School. Jael Trejo Sanchez took first place, Jenna Sharin took second place and
Jake Circelli took third place.
For more
information about Monmouth County happenings, go to tourism.visitmonmouth.com and
follow Monmouth County Tourism on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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