Cape May County officials said ideal weather over the summer brought plenty of visitors, and all indications are pointing to a record tourism season.
Occupancy tax collection from January through July 2019 is up 8.4 percent over the same period in 2018, resulting in an increase of $544,922 in revenue, indicating a rise in overnight visitors, the county announced in a press release.
July, the latest data available, generated nearly half of what was collected during the prior six months, bringing the total revenue to date to slightly more than $7 million, according to Cape May County Tourism Director Diane Wieland.
The 2018 occupancy tax 12-month collection rate was $12.5 million. The increase in occupancy tax collection indicates a minimal increase in room rates with a substantial uptick in overnight stays.
Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the Cape May County Department of Tourism, said in a statement, "The numbers are compelling and point to what I have witnessed in my travels around the County. Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kick-off of the summer season and broke records for most businesses.”
Hayes continued, “This pattern was followed by a strong July 4 weekend with some resorts reporting 100 percent occupancy. An increase of more than 8 increase in occupancy tax, without the August data included, is very encouraging. I strongly believe we are looking at another big year for tourism in Cape May County."
She called the numbers “mind boggling.”
“A county with a population of less than 95,000 people hosts nearly 10 million visitors each year. We have a unique tourism dynamic with very few chain businesses, (so) our success is the result of hard-working small business owners that have created a multibillion-dollar tourism industry that ranks second in the state under Atlantic County,” Hayes said. “I credit the work of our businesses, tourism organizations and the County Tourism Department that is recognized throughout the state for their innovative and effective marketing and promotion programs that work to increase tourism to the County.”
Cape May County Tourism Director Diane Wieland, left, and County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes say this summer was great for tourism.
Since it's too early to get the full economic impact of the summer, the Tourism Department uses the hard numbers available, such as occupancy tax, to gauge the season.
A full 2019 tourism report will be available through the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism early in 2020.
The average overnight spending in Cape May County is $374 and impacts all sectors measured, which includes lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreation and transportation.
Cape May County leads the state in tourism spending in food and beverage, retail, recreation and rental income sectors.
Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton noted, "Over the years we have experienced steady growth in tourism expenditures, generating $6.6 billion in 2018. Cape May County is becoming a more year-round destination, drawing visitors and second homeowners back during the fall and winter months who support our special events, restaurants and retail outlets.”
Thornton also said that eco and agri tourism are trending upward, and birding and wineries are attracting shoulder season growth.
“Businesses are staying open longer and playing a large part in the County's expanding economy," he said in the county's press release. "Tourism is the economic driver in Cape May County, generating 60 percent of the total employment, and complements new and emerging industries that the county has been aggressively pursuing, such as aviation and technology.”
