Tag: tourism

Posted on

GOP Efforts to exempt the Jersey Shore communities from Renters tax shot Down by Democrats

ArtChick_jersey_shore_theridgewoodblog

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Jersey Shore NJ, Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start to summer, Assemblyman Hal Wirths and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso fought to protect consumers and the tourism industry from the so-called “Airbnb tax.” Last July, Gov. Murphy and the Democrat-controlled legislature passed a law that applied an 11.6 surcharge on short-term rentals not booked through a real estate agency.

The Assembly voted on legislation yesterday to limit the scope of the Airbnb tax to rentals obtained through a marketplace, but Wirths and DiMaso say it doesn’t go far enough. The tourism industry is starting to feel the consequences of the tax as short-term rentals at the Jersey Shore struggle and vacationers choose less expensive destinations.

Continue reading GOP Efforts to exempt the Jersey Shore communities from Renters tax shot Down by Democrats
Posted on

New Jersey Travel: Free Entertainment Apps to Help You Explore the Garden State

load image 5

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Planning a trip to the Garden State? Make sure you don’t miss Liberty State Park, Lucy the Elephant, and Storybook Land! These world-famous attractions will keep you busy for hours and give you a well-deserved break.

From natural sights and outdoor recreational areas to historic attractions, New Jersey has something for everyone. Each state has its own landmarks, whether it’s an adventure park or pristine beaches. More than 100 million people visited this state in 2017 — and for good reason.

With so many things to do, planning your trip won’t be easy. You might not even know where to start! These free entertainment apps will help you explore the Garden State and make the most out of your trip, so check them out.

SafeTrip NJ

Traffic jams are common in New Jersey’s biggest cities. If you’re traveling by car, check out SafeTrip NJ to save time and avoid the traffic. This cool app provides real-time information for all major highways and roadways in the Garden State.

Simply download the app and press Play. It’s no need to sign up for an account or enter personal information. SafeTrip NJ will use your phone’s location to emit alerts and broadcasts advisories.

Visit New Jersey

Developed by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, this app appeals to visitors and locals alike. With just a few clicks, you’ll know where the coolest bars are, where to find the best museums and art galleries, and when the latest events are happening.

Users can browse hundreds of attractions and create a personalized wish-list. From transportation to casinos, campgrounds and family fun, this app has you covered. The downside is that it only works on iOS devices.

Eater

The Garden State is home to thousands of world-class restaurants and pubs. These dining venues offer some amazing dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Disco fries, Trenton tomato pie, Jersey sloppy joe, and pork rolls are just a few to mention.

If you’re new to this place, though, you may not know where to go and what to order. That’s where Eater comes in.

This free app takes the guesswork out of restaurant dining, featuring the best places to eat. It works on both iOS and Android devices and uses your phone’s built-in GPS to find popular restaurants and dining venues. Users can leave comments, read reviews, and get directions within seconds.

There are dozens of other apps you can try depending on what you’re looking for. If you live in New Jersey or know this place really well, use an App Builder to create your own apps. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help travelers make the most out of their trips and save time while on the road.

Discover the Best Free Entertainment Apps

A beach vacation in New Jersey wouldn’t be complete without the Jersey Shore Beach Guide. This free app provides information about more than 40 beaches, 600 shore restaurants, and upcoming events.

Need help to plan your itinerary? The Trip Advisor app won’t let you down. You may also want to download OverDrive or DoggCatcher to enjoy your favorite eBooks and podcasts while on the go. 

Now that you what the best free entertainment apps are, it’s time to start exploring the Garden State. Check out the latest information on the Village of Ridgewood before heading down the road!

Posted on

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno Celebrates Tourism Successes and Improved Revenues

artchick_jerseyshore_theridgewoodblog

photo by ArtChick

March 10,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton, NJ ,Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today attended the New Jersey Conference on Tourism to discuss the New Jersey Tourism Industry’s diverse attractions for all seasons and the improvements the industry has made over the last year.

New Jersey again set a record in 2016, with the tourism industry accounting for $44.1 billion in economic impact – an increase of more than 2.9 percent over the previous year. This was in part due to an increase in visitation to New Jersey, which increased for the seventh straight year. The number of visitors to New Jersey increased by 3.3 percent last year to 98 million.

“Over the last seven years, as the Lt. Governor and Secretary of State, I’ve traveled hundreds of thousands of miles across this great State seeing the amazing and diverse attractions we have to offer,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “So, it’s no surprise that the Travel and Tourism Industry had another year of increased growth across all seasons.”

In 2016, the tourism industry directly supported more than 321,231 jobs. When factoring in indirect impacts, more than a half million jobs – or nearly one in 10 of all New Jersey jobs – depended on tourism. The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism recently released promising numbers from the past year. In 2016, tourism in New Jersey generated $4.9 billion in state and local tax revenues. Without the tourism industry, New Jersey households would each need to pay $1,525 in order to maintain the current level of state and local government services.

To learn more about New Jersey Tourism, visit www.visitnj.org.

Posted on

Jersey Shore tourism; nobody’s in charge

artchick_jerseyshore_theridgewoodblog

 

The Shore is heading into the summer without its biggest marketing arm. The Jersey Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau has no funding, no executive director and no website, leaving the promotion of the Shore’s tourism industry to Monmouth and Ocean counties – and individual towns and businesses. Michael L. Diamond, Asbury Park Press Read more

Posted on

Online poker is North Jersey’s latest tourism draw

royale

Online poker is North Jersey’s latest tourism draw

On any given Sunday, Mike Azzaro — or mikeycasino, as he’s known online — will travel from his home in Yonkers, N.Y., to a Ramsey hotel room for the night.

The reason is not glamorous, but it is profitable: Azzaro, 27, is a professional poker player.

Of the online players who have signed up to play in New Jersey at PartyPoker.com, 15 percent don’t live in the state. You must be within New Jersey’s borders to play, but residency isn’t required. That so many out-of-state players are traveling to New Jersey — call it “poker tourism” — is an encouraging sign for the fledgling industry, which so far has been generating less than $2 million per month in tax revenue for the state budget.  (Brennan/The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/online-poker-is-north-jersey-s-latest-tourism-draw-1.999889#sthash.EZqVWS0K.dpuf 

Posted on

Sports authority will take lead on tourism, marketing for N.J.

Met_life_stadium_theridgewoodblog
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority will become the state’s lead tourism and marketing agency, as it absorbs the Division of Travel and Tourism and the Motion Picture & Television Commission, under a plan unveiled today.  (Burd, NJBIZ)

Continue reading Sports authority will take lead on tourism, marketing for N.J.