Ocean City’s beaches are a big part of Cape May County’s popularity among tourists.
Written by Donald Witkowski and Maddie Vitale
Cape May County’s tourism industry remains a multibillion-dollar behemoth, attracting millions of visitors, but a slowdown in business could mark a “new normal” in the coming years is a concern.
Tourism spending in Cape May County increased 4.1 percent to $7.7 billion in 2023, compared to $7.4 billion in 2022. In another big sign of growth, tourist numbers increased by 1.8 percent, with nearly 11.6 million visitors in 2023 (compared to 11.4 million in 2022). 2022, according to a newly released report.
“Considering New Jersey’s population is 9.2 million people, this is a very impressive number,” Cape May County Tourism Director Diane Wieland said of the 11.6 million visitors.
Overall, Cape May County ranked second in visitor spending among New Jersey’s 21 counties in 2023. Atlantic County maintained its traditional position as the state’s most visited tourist destination, buoyed by Atlantic City’s casinos.
In 2023, Cape May County increased in all categories, outpacing other counties in food, retail and recreation, the county’s tourism board said in a new report presented at Thursday’s Cape May County Chamber of Commerce meeting. revealed. .
Despite the overall increase in tourism, the report noted that business will slow down in 2023 compared to growth at the 11.9% level in 2022. The report questioned whether slower growth will become the “new normal” for tourism as we head into the summer of 2024. industry in the coming years.
“The watchword for 2024 is normality, and unfortunately we will continue to see a slowdown similar to 2023. The ‘new normal’ will be a combination of recovery, innovation and adaptation. Same old. The same old things will neither bring back visitors nor attract new ones,” the report concludes.
“Tourism has proven to be resilient and this slowdown is not a sign of weakness for the industry, but a sign of its strength as the situation begins to correct itself. A return to ‘normal’ is unlikely. , it will be very different from pandemic ‘normal’ (pre-2020), but we are not there yet.”
Wieland said in an email Friday that the tourism industry will face several challenges in 2023, including the end of “revenge tourism.”
“This means that a high number of travelers took holidays after the coronavirus lockdown. From 2021 and 2022 onwards, pent-up demand appears to have been met and travelers are looking to escape. New travel trends are emerging, and travelers are still planning to take vacations, but they are exchanging “stuff” for experiences and when planning their vacations. I’m conscious of my footprints,” Wieland explained.
One concern about tourism trends in Cape May County is reports that vacation bookings are slower than usual, the report said.
Another trend is that technology and demographics are key forces reshaping the tourism industry.
“Advances in technology have shortened the lead time to book a vacation, with the average booking time being two to three weeks. Baby boomers are booking two to three months out and “Apps are the preferred tour guide for those seeking new experiences,” the report states.
Cape May County Tourism Director Diane Wieland points to a number of new trends in the travel industry. (Photo courtesy of Cape May County)
Wieland said the economy is also impacting discretionary spending in the tourism industry. Overall, 47% of Cape He County visitors said in the survey that uncertain economic conditions had forced them to change their vacation plans.
Additionally, 60% of survey respondents said they have reduced their vacation spending in 2023. Wieland noted that this will likely be the same in 2024, with 48% saying the economy will affect their vacations in 2024.
However, Cape May County officials remain optimistic overall about the future of tourism, based on the county’s strengths and attractiveness.
For example, Wieland noted that road trips are on the rise, and Cape May County fits well into that trend as a “road trip” destination. She said there are 30 million people within a 300-mile radius, or one tank of gas away.
Cape May County is home to pristine beaches, lush natural areas, diverse landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. Tourism reports point out that there are many opportunities for new adventures and returns to favorites, including beach holidays, nature-based activities, local culture and camping holidays.
The county is adapting to new travel trends and could offer much of what 2024 travelers are looking for in a destination, the report said. Local culture and ‘local love’ is present throughout the Jersey Cape, as visitors seek authentic experiences, local culture, charm and a welcoming and inviting atmosphere with the warmth provided by family-owned businesses. You can see it.
Beaches, boardwalks, shopping, and restaurants are some of Cape May County’s top attractions that draw millions of visitors each year. Other attractions include Cape May County Park & Zoo, bird watching, cultural and historical attractions, environmentally friendly activities such as nature walks and hiking, water sports, camping, wineries, breweries, distilleries, There are farm markets and more.
While the overall trend is the increasing popularity of coastal road trips, there is also a desire among tourists to bring their family pets with them. With that in mind, Cape May County has pet-friendly lodging facilities in coastal destinations where you can bring your dog or cat along on vacation, the report said.
The full Cape May County Tourism Impact Report is available at https://ocnjdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Tourism-Economic-Impact-Report.pdf.
The Ocean City Boardwalk and other trails in Cape May County continue to be major tourist attractions.
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