An Assembly Resolution declaring New Jersey's tourism industry and shore areas open for business, and encouraging visitors to explore and support the destinations in the State.

Whereas, The Jersey Shore is one of the State's most treasured and precious natural landscapes, and serves as the backbone and heart of tourism in the State, providing an iconic backdrop for many generations of residents and visitors with beloved memories of the beaches, boardwalks, amusements, and many other great shore attractions; and

Whereas, As a result of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy, there is the perception that New Jersey's beaches and other travel and tourism destinations have been destroyed, despite a number of towns and their attractions remaining intact and largely untouched from physical damage, such as the Atlantic City Convention Center and the Historic Boardwalk Hall which were open for business and resuming operations within days of the storm; and

Whereas, Many fundraisers, concerts, and other special events are raising awareness for efforts to restore the Jersey Shore, but patronizing the shore towns, and their hotels, restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues, and other local businesses, is essential to ensuring the vitality of the shore towns devastated by the storm; and

Whereas, The tourism industry directly generated $16.5 billion, or 3.4%, of New Jersey's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, while the tourism economy, including all direct, indirect and induced impacts, generated $33.2 billion GDP, or 6.8% of the State economy; and

Whereas, According to the 2011 Tourism Economic Impact Study, the four shore counties - Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, and Monmouth - make up more than half of the State's tourism direct sales, accounting for $18.9 billion of more than $37 billion; and

Whereas, Tourism spending directly supports 312,000 jobs in New Jersey, and including indirect and induced impacts supports 486,000 jobs, which is 9.8% of all jobs in the State; and

Whereas, All sectors of New Jersey's economy benefit from tourism activity directly or indirectly, with tourism spanning nearly a dozen sectors, including lodging, recreation, retail, real estate, air passenger transport, food and beverage, car rental, taxi services, travel agents, the arts, cultural and historical attractions, and amusement and other entertainment venues; and

Whereas, Including indirect and induced impacts, tourism in New Jersey generated $4.4 billion in State and local taxes and $4.8 billion in federal taxes last year; and

Whereas, New Jersey has a unique story to tell and the people of the Garden State will continue to show the world the resilience of the businesses, boardwalks, and shore attractions, and that this great State is a strong community that remains united together to rebuild and restore; and

Whereas, Tourism is an integral component of the New Jersey economy and a vibrant travel and tourism industry is vital to the overall economic well-being of New Jersey's citizens, and it is in the best interest of the State and in the public interest to encourage citizens and visitors alike to explore and frequent the many destinations open in the shore areas, and support the promotion and marketing thereof; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House declares that New Jersey's tourism industry and shore areas are open for business.

2. This House further encourages citizens and visitors alike to explore and frequent the many destinations open for business in the State, and supports the promotion and marketing thereof.

3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey, the Executive Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State, and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association.

STATEMENT

This resolution declares that New Jersey's tourism industry and shore areas are open for business, encourages visitors to explore and frequent the many destinations in the State, and supports the promotion and marketing thereof.

A vibrant travel and tourism industry is vital to the overall economic well-being of New Jersey's citizens, and the Jersey Shore is one of the State's most treasured and precious natural landscapes, serving as the backbone and heart of tourism in the State and providing an iconic backdrop for many generations of residents and visitors with beloved memories of the beaches, boardwalks, amusements, and many other great shore attractions.

As a result of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy, there is the perception that New Jersey's beaches and other travel and tourism destinations have been destroyed, despite a number of towns and their attractions remaining intact and largely untouched from physical damage, such as the Atlantic City Convention Center and the Historic Boardwalk Hall which were open for business and resuming operations within days of the storm. Many fundraisers, concerts, and other special events are raising awareness for efforts to restore the Jersey Shore, but patronizing the shore towns, and their hotels, restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues, and other local businesses, is essential to ensuring the vitality of the shore towns devastated by the storm.

In 2011, the tourism industry directly generated $16.5 billion, or 3.4%, of New Jersey's gross domestic product (GDP), while the tourism economy, including all direct, indirect and induced impacts, generated $33.2 billion GDP, or 6.8% of the State economy. The four shore counties - Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, and Monmouth - make up more than half of the State's tourism direct sales, accounting for $18.9 billion of more than $37 billion. Tourism spending directly supports 312,000 jobs in New Jersey, and including indirect and induced impacts supports 486,000 jobs, which is 9.8% of all jobs in the State. Including indirect and induced impacts, tourism in New Jersey generated $4.4 billion in State and local tax revenue and $4.8 billion in federal tax revenue last year.