Trenton, NJ – Sixteen tourism-related organizations were awarded Destination Marketing Organization Grants totaling over $1.4 million to expand tourism marketing opportunities in New Jersey, the state Division of Travel and Tourism announced Monday.
The organizations work with local entertainment venues, restaurants, retail outlets, and hotels to promote a municipality or region’s historical, cultural, and artistic attractions.
“Tourism is New Jersey’s third largest private sector employer and generates $35.5 billion in economic activity and 310,000 jobs,” Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who oversees the Division of Travel and Tourism, said. “These grants will leverage additional economic activity and, most importantly, create jobs.”
Destination Marketing Organization Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- Atlantic City Convention and Visitor Authority - $74,835
- Brick City Development Corporation in Newark - $48,000
- Central Jersey Convention and Visitors Bureau in Middlesex County – $36,000
- Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs - $3,551
- Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce - $33,000
- Jersey City Economic Development Corporation – $114,000
- Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau - $150,000
- Morris County Tourism Bureau - $141,000
- Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce - $123,000
- Shore Regional Tourism Council - $111,000
- Somerset County Business Partnership - $108,000
- South Jersey Tourism Corporation - $36,072
- Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce - $141,000
- Southern Shore Regional Tourism Council - $141,000
- Sussex County Chamber of Commerce - $102,000
- Trenton Downtown Association - $62,723
The Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau, for example, will use some of its $150,000 grant to promote Super Bowl XLVIII, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in 2014. The Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce plans to market their unique business meeting and conference venues, the South Jersey Tourism Corporation will showcase New Jersey’s winery industry and the Southern Shore Regional Tourism Council will launch a campaign targeted to Canadians to promote the shore as a vacation destination.
Each grant application is reviewed by what is described as an independent panel with granting, marketing, and tourism experience. Applicants must demonstrate quality work, a clear demonstration of how their project will contribute to New Jersey’s tourism industry, and how their project fits within the Division of Travel and Tourism’s priorities.
“DMOs play a valuable role in promoting tourism and generating economic activity,” state Travel & Tourism Director Grace Hanlon said. “Over the years, these grants have successfully helped tourism organizations promote New Jersey as a vacation destination.”
