Gloucester County tourism increased by 5 percent in 2016

Gloucester County saw the third largest growth in the tourism industry in the state.

A state study showed that tourism direct sales in Gloucester County grew by five percent in 2016, the third largest growth in New Jersey last year, according to Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger and Freeholder Heather Simmons.

The study, “The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey,” showed that Gloucester County experienced the third largest growth in tourism industry sales in 2016, while in 2015, Gloucester County was ranked sixth in the state.

“In addition to seeing growth in tourism we also saw the benefits that goes along with that growth including a 1.75 increase in direct tourism employment which is 4,969 jobs,” Damminger said.

The five percent increase in tourism direct sales equates to $456 million compared to $434 million in 2015.

“The impact of tourism on our county and in our state is felt by almost every sector of our population, especially our taxpayers. Without the tourism industry, New Jersey households would each need pay $1,525 more in order to maintain the current level of state and local government services they receive,” said Simmons, liaison to the Department of Economic Development. “There is so much to do here, from wineries, arts, dining, equestrian, retail, history and our farms that you could plan an entire months worth of activities and still not see everything. We have worked hard in Gloucester County to help promote tourism and we will continue to do so because it creates a positive economic impact for our residents.”

For a listing of activities in Gloucester County visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov and click on the calendar.