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.