The US economy may still be on the mend, but Cape May County’s main economic engine, tourism, seems to be back in the pink since the Hurricane Sandy induced slump of three years ago.
That was the gist of County Director of Tourism Diane Wieland’s presentation last Wednesday night at the League of Municipalities meeting at the Flanders Hotel.
Officials from around the county were in attendance for Weiland’s keynote talk, in which she related several key tourism-related economic numbers.
Lodging brought in nearly $2.5 billion dollars, she said; food and beverage over 1.4 billion, rentals 1.2 billion, recreation $711 million and transportation $421 million.
She also reported a steady growth in the occupancy rate for tourist lodging and a three percent increase in the amount raised by occupancy tax in 2016. Occupancy rate rose 5 percent in the county, a rate more than a full percentage point higher than the national figure.
Additionally, total tourism spending rose by 5 percent over 2015, Weiland noted.
As a result of the strong numbers, Cape May County contributed $547 million or $1.49 million per day in state tax revenue, a 2.9 percent increase over 2015.
Job creation was up as well, with 26,151 tourism-related jobs, up 1.3 percent over the previous year. Tourism jobs accounted for 43.6 percent of all employment in the County, she noted.
In another matter, the public was invited to the inaugural event of Cape May County’s year-long celebration of its 325th Anniversary. The Sons of Colonial Wars will unveil a plaque commemorating the first European settlement of Cape May County. It will take place on Friday, March 31 at 1 p.m. at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal.
Persons interested in attending should RSVP by calling (609)465-1066.
