The Jersey Shore Convention And Visitor's Bureau Is Excited About The Spring-Summer Tourism Marketing Campaign

Online, March 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The long awaited national New Jersey spring-summer tourism marketing campaign will be announced at the Governor's Conference on Tourism beginning March 23 in Atlantic City.

The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitor's Bureau (JSCVB) representing Monmouth and Ocean Counties is excited about the announcement from the Governor's Office about the spring-summer tourism campaign.

After the Christie Administration last spring eliminated funding for the Garden State national campaign which included radio, television, newspaper, and an internet pitch to potential visitors. Tourism based businesses such as the Convention and Visitor's Bureau kept the momentum going by purchasing radio spots, partnering with the Asbury Park Press, The Star Ledger, Monmouth Ocean Development Council, Currents Magazine, The New Jersey Campground Association and local newspapers and organizations Including the Red Bank Visitors Center, City of Asbury Park, Belmar Tourism Commission, Jenkinson's Boardwalk and the Seaside Heights business improvement district to inform potential visitors of the attractions on the Jersey Shore.

One of the key initiates in promoting the Jersey Shore region was the introduction of the Passport to the Jersey Shore card which was introduced last spring. The program is designed to allow visitors, residents, and vacationers the opportunity to take advantage of some heavy discounts while visiting the Jersey Shore. "The program has been a huge success" says Robert Hilton, Executive Director of the JSCVB. "It has generated thousands of room nights, increased traffic to restaurants, was responsible for increased attendance at amusements and gave the consumer an opportunity to save substantial dollars increasing the number of visits to their favorite shore destinations." After distributing almost nine thousand cards last year the Jersey Shore passport program is growing. "In 2011 we will print 50,000 passport cards" says Hilton, "they will be distributed throughout Canada and the Eastern Seaboard. So far this year we have distributed almost 8,000 passport cards internationally and anticipate distributing another 20,000 over the next 6 weeks. We will be offering the passport card for sale through a series of non-profits at a reduced rate."

Tourism generates 38.8 billion dollars in expenditures for the state, and the four shore counties represent 54 percent of the total tourism revenue or approximately 21 billion dollars. This is key to providing over 350 thousand jobs which is supported through tourism and over 9,400 industries are directly impacted. 2010 numbers are expected to be released at next week's Governors Conference as well.

The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitor's Bureau is a Destination Marketing Organization funded by members, sponsors, and a grant from the NJ Division of Tourism. Without state tourism organizations such as the JSCVB each NJ household would have to pay an additional $14,027 more in taxes to maintain the current level of tax receipts. In conjunction with WPLJ, the Asbury Park Press, The Star Ledger, Current's Magazine, CBS, the State of New Jersey Division of Tourism and Brushfire marketing, New Jersey and The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau will launch a plethora of marketing geared towards the traveler for 2011.

"When we are done, people will understand there is no place to vacation except the Jersey Shore. In most cases on just one tank of gas" says Hilton. Hilton announced this morning to the Associated Press the JSCVB co-sponsorship of the Monmouth Ocean Development Councils April 15th tourism Luncheon to be held at the Breakers Hotel in Spring Lake, NJ. Featured speaker Grace Hanlon the Director of New Jersey's Division of Travel and Tourism will review the states spring marketing campaign in addition to speaking about what's in store for businesses this 2011 tourism season. For more information on this Hilton asks that you fax or e-mail reservation forms to MODC, 4814 Outlook Drive., Suite 102 Wall, NJ 07753 Fax (732) 751-8698. E-mail modcstaff@modc.com; or register on the website www.modc.com

The JSCVB is the fastest growing destination marketing organization in New Jersey," says Hilton. "Our sponsors and members represent thousands of jobs along the Jersey Shore and have a multimillion dollar impact on our regional and state economy." Major sponsors of the JSCVB include Six Flags great Adventure, Asbury Park Press, Monmouth Park Racetrack, Jenkinson's Boardwalk, The Oyster Point Hotel, The Molly Pitcher Inn, The City of Asbury Park Boardwalk, The Passion Group, The Star Ledger, The County of Ocean, The County of Monmouth, Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seastreak, and Hotels Unlimited. For more information contact Robert Hilton Executive Director 732-244-9283 or director@visitthejerseyshore.com.