For Immediate
Release:
May 23, 2022
Board of
County Commissioners & tourism partners kick off the summer season in
Asbury Park
Commissioner
Director discusses the importance of small businesses
ASBURY PARK,
NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners opened the summer tourism
season with their partners in front of the Asbury Park Convention Center this
morning.
“This is always a great
time of the year because we are expecting a very busy season ahead in Monmouth
County and this is due to our great tourism partners,” said Commissioner
Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Division of Tourism. “In 2020,
tourism was a $1.8 billion industry in Monmouth County. In 2021, the industry
increased to $2.3 billion. In 2020, we saw nearly 6.7 million visitors. In 2021,
we saw nearly 8 million. In 2021, tourism supported 20,000 jobs, up from 17,000
in 2020. This is proof our tourism industry is bouncing back in a huge way.”
“Thank you to
the Commissioners for choosing Asbury Park as the site of the kickoff,” said
Asbury Park Mayor John Moor. “I would like to wish everyone a great and safe
summer season.”
“Thank you to
the County for their support of our small businesses,” said Sylvia Sylvia, Executive
Director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. “We are going to have a
fantastic summer and it’s going to happen right here at the Jersey Shore. We
have the most amazing, diverse group of small business owners, culturally different
restaurants, an extremely vibrant downtown, and our boardwalk and Main Street for
people to visit.”
“We have great
beaches, a clean ocean, and a tourism industry that is just waiting for
everyone to come see it,” said Grace Hanlon, Executive Director of the Jersey
Shore Partnership. “Thank you everyone for supporting the Jersey Shore.”
“Last year we
had an abbreviated season, but it was the highest per concert attendance we’ve
ever seen and it just showed how much people missed music but also hanging out
with people, “said Caroline O’Toole, General Manager of The Stone Pony. “This year
we look forward to a full season, over 30 shows with a diverse lineup to
represent not only our great city of Asbury Park but the Jersey Shore.”
“We believe
that many Monmouth County residents are going to stay local this summer and
make the County their vacation destination,” said Director Arnone. “As much as
we tout the tourism season being about the beaches, we do have other areas to
explore such as the racetrack, the malls, restaurants and small businesses throughout
the County that we invite you to visit.”
ASBURY PARK, NJ-- Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Division of Tourism, speaks about the importance of the County's small business community, thanked local partners for their support and shared how he is excited for the tourism season ahead.
ASBURY PARK, NJ-- Local elected officials and tourism partners gathered in Asbury Park for the summer kick off press conference where speakers shared their optimism for the upcoming summer tourism season.
# # #