Following Superstorm Sandy, there were serious concerns about the 2013 summer tourist season would shape up in New Jersey. It seems some towns have done well, while others have struggled.

Gov. Chris Christe in Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Beach (John Munson, Pool/Star-Ledger)
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Following a tour of part of the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk, Gov. Chris Christie stopped at the Ark Pub and Eatery, and talked tourism with a group of reporters.

"There are places like Seaside Heights who are having a hard time.  The lack of rides on that boardwalk has been the biggest determining factor in not drawing as many families there, but I spoke to the guys at Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach, and they said they are doing as well as they've ever done," said Christie.

Beach Haven has fared well too.

"I was talking to the businesses there, and in general they feel pretty good about how they've done. I was down in Cape May - they're thrilled with their summer.  North Wildwood - not as much.  It's very variable from town to town," said Christie.

Gov. Chris Christie Visiting Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Beach (John Munson, Pool/Star-Ledger)
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Another thing that has hurt the shore this summer is a loss of Canadian tourism.  "We lost a good amount of Canadian tourism because they tend to make their plans in February and March, and those folks weren't sure we were going to be open," said Christie

He also said an extremely wet June hurt many shore towns.

"Everything on the shore economy is weather dependent.  People wake up on a Saturday morning, and it's sunny and it's warm - it's like a magnet - they get in their car and they come down here," said Christie. "But if it's cloudy and rainy, they stay home."

The Treasurer's Department is expected to have newly tabulated sales tax numbers for the shore by the middle of September.

 

 

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