Kids & Family

Princeton Region Tourism Expenditures Surpass Pre-Recession Levels

Tourism spending generated more than $1.85 billion in 2012.

By Greta Cuyler 

Tourism expenditures in the Princeton region have surpassed pre-recession levels, according to a study of the economic impact of tourism in the region released by the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. 

Tourism spending in the Princeton region generated more than $1.85 billion in expenditures in 2012, a new local record and represents the third year of continued growth, according to the study commission by the Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau titled “The Economic Impact of Tourism in the Princeton Region.” 

Pre-recession spending was $1.7 billion in 2007.

Find out what's happening in East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We can attribute the growth to the continued promotion of the area through the Princeton Regional Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and its regional and local partners working to establish the region as a desirable destination,” said Peter Crowley, PRCC's president and CEO. “We are looking forward to sustained growth in the coming years with the continued promotion of exciting events that will bring new visitors to Central New Jersey."

The PRCVB commissioned Travel and Tourism Research and Training Associates to do an in-depth study of the economic impact and tourism trends throughout the Princeton region and the impacts of its efforts to market the region.

Find out what's happening in East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The PRCC defines the "Princeton region" as Cranbury, East Windsor, Ewing, Hamilton, Hightstown, Borough of Hopewell, Hopewell Township, Village of Kingston (part of Franklin Township), Lawrence, Montgomery, Pennington, Plainsboro, Princeton, Robbinsville, Rocky Hill, Trenton and West Windsor.

Tourism expenditures in Mercer County alone were $1.13 billion in 2012. Middlesex County municipalities (South Brunswick, Plainsboro and Cranbury) realized $695.3 million from tourism expenditures and Somerset County municipalities (Kingston, Montgomery and Rocky Hill) had an economic impact of $42.5 million from tourism.

The tourism industry provided 34,700 jobs throughout the region and across multiple industries. 

In 2012, the largest tourism spending in the region was in the food and beverage sector at $500.2 million, or 27 percent, followed by transportation at $415.2 million, or 22 percent. The report indicates this number will likely increase as a result of Frontier Airlines introduction and rapid expansion at Trenton Mercer Airport in Ewing.

Shopping, recreation and entertainment and accommodations make up the rest of the spending. Occupancy tax receipts show that accommodation spending as a whole in the Princeton Region is at $6.6 million in 2012, almost where it was pre-recession.  This figure represents nearly 7.6 percent of all hotels occupancy taxes collected throughout New Jersey.

“Summer and late fall/early winter are developing and growing markets for tourism in the Princeton Region and Mercer County,” said Patience Purdy, chair of the PRCVB. “Since I’ve been involved with the PRCVB, I’ve seen a strong leisure travel base during the summer months established and more visitors in the shoulder seasons."

June has seen almost 30 percent increase in occupancy taxes, July has had 22.5 percent growth and August has had almost 11 percent growth. Following these strong summer numbers, November 2012 saw a jump of 51 percent jump due to residents displaced by Superstorm Sandy and lodging for recovery workers.

The best year for spending was 2011, when tourism in the Princeton Region grew by 16 percent, compared to 8 percent nationally and 4 percent statewide. This is 8.8 percent higher than pre-recession levels.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here