The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20190510001420/https://www.nj.com/business/2019/05/tourism-spending-is-up-in-nj-and-itll-be-even-better-when-american-dream-is-built-murphy-says.html

Tourism spending is up in N.J., and it’ll be even better when American Dream is built, Murphy says

Tourism generated $44.7 billion in spending in New Jersey in 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) AP

AP

Tourism generated $44.7 billion in spending in New Jersey in 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) AP

By Bill Duhart | For NJ.com

If you don’t mind a crowd, you’re likely to love New Jersey these days.

Just ask Gov. Phil Murphy.

Murphy joined members of the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association on Thursday to announce that in 2018, visitation to New Jersey rose to nearly 111 million people, an increase of 7.4 percent from 2017.

“In the years to come and as this critical industry continues to grow, I look forward to joining families from around the world in enjoying what New Jersey has to offer, supporting the businesses and communities that make our state special,” he said.

State officials are aiming to draw 150 million visitors by 2023 with a new focus on international travelers, the American Dream project, and Atlantic City’s rebound.

false

American Dream offers a peek inside and a glimpse of the future

Having trouble imagining what American Dream will look like when its done? Us too.

Total spending by visitors to the state reached $44.7 billion, which generated $5 billion in state and local taxes in 2018.

According to The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey Report released Thursday by the Department of State’s Division of Travel and Tourism, visitor spending supported 333,860 jobs in New Jersey. When combined with indirect and induced jobs, tourism sustained more than 531,000 jobs, making tourism the 7th largest employer in New Jersey. In fact, nearly 10 percent of New Jersey’s jobs are supported by tourism. The report found that 2018 marked the ninth straight year that visitor spending increased, growing more than 30 percent since 2009.

Other highlights of the annual tourism report include:

  • 2017 visitation numbers were even better than reported, revised from 100.9 million visitors to 103.2 million.
  • Food and beverage and lodging garnered the largest share of visitor spending.
  • Visitor spending surged in Atlantic County.

Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters. ‘Ask Alexa for New Jersey news’