Morris Has Highest Tourism Sales Growth in New Jersey in 2013

Morris County tourism led New Jersey in overall growth in 2013, according to a new economic report.

Overall, tourism spending in the county accounted for $1.957 billion, according to Tourism Economics, which produced the report for the NJ Division of Travel & Tourism.

Tourism spending in all of New Jersey totaled $38.4 billion, a 1.3-percent growth from the year before. Morris County bested the other 20 counties in the state with a 7-percent increase year-over-year. Atlantic County, home to Atlantic City and the state’s casino industry, was at the bottom of the list with a nearly 4-percent decrease in tourism industry sales.

Of Morris County’s tourism sales, lodging accounted for $393.6 million; food and beverage accounted for $515.6 million; and retail accounted for $364.7 million.

According to the report, “Each household in New Jersey would need to be taxed an additional $1,440 per year to replace the tourism taxes received by state and local governments.” Thos taxes accounted for $4.6 billion in 2013, the report said.

While 2013 showed a 1.3-percent increase in overall tourism-related sales, the report predicted a hike of 4.3-percent between last year and 2014.

See the tourism report called "The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey" at this link.