Tourism Officials Urge Biz Owners To Keep In Touch

With the holidays approaching, the last thing on your mind is summer activities at the boardwalk, right? However, Ocean County is always thinking about tourism and they are reminding local businesses just how important it is for the economy.

Any new tourism venue in Ocean County is urged to provide their contact information and details to the County's Public Affairs and Tourism Department as soon as possible. This can include accommodations, restaurants, attractions and activities or other amusements.

The reason is simple. Each year, their department compiles a list for representatives of annual publications who are already contacting them to find out what's new for 2012. If there are new venues that don't inform their office, they could end up being lost in the shuffle.

Tourism in Ocean County has often been referred to as the "lifeblood" of the whole area. Department Director Barbara Steele says with the information, they can help promote businesses that can help bring more revenue into the 3 billion dollar a year industry.

Steele adds "many of our publications go to print months and months in advance. We want to get all the new ones up to date, this way, word of mouth can spread. It's a Jersey Shore tradition."

While some people may feel it's too early, Steele says it's not. She adds "we go to work all year round. In fact, most of the publicity part happens way before temps go back up again. The more we can do before the summer, the better off everyone is. There are so many things to see and do here."

Information should be sent to the following address:

Freeholder Director Joe Vicari

P.O. Box 2191

Toms River, New Jersey 08754-2191

You can also e-mail information to oceancountytourism@co.ocean.nj.us