The shorecast also shows employment is still down by about 5,000 jobs compared to before the pandemic, but wages are higher. Better pay could be partially a result of that worker shortage.
Another tourism indicator showed vehicles passing through the Pleasantville tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway last year were below 2021’s numbers and lower than 2019’s count. Experts say that may be a sign that higher gas prices had some impact on the summer visitors.
Brick and mortar casino revenue, for the most part, was up last year compared to 2021. That revenue was still lower than 2019’s totals except in July. June and August gambling receipts were down, slightly below 2019. Spending by people attending conventions in Atlantic City was way up in July compared to 2021. Spending by conventioneers got a boost when Atlantic City hosted the 113th National NAACP convention in 2022.
As for this year, both Atlantic and Cape May counties are predicting an increase in tourism over the course of this year. That’s due in part to more conventions on the schedule this year, as well as new marketing campaigns for beach tourism in both areas.
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