PRESS RELEASE
THE WILDWOODS - The 2023 summer tourism season in the Wildwoods, NJ surpassed expectations and delivered outstanding results.
Fast Facts - The Wildwoods Tourism Revenue posts record gains:
1. The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) reported that tourism revenue in the key categories of lodging and prepared food & beverage was 31 percent higher in 2023 than the 5-year average tourism revenues. The 2020 pandemic season numbers were not used in this comparison.
2. Tourism revenue in the key categories of lodging and food & beverage grew almost 5 percent in 2023 over 2022, which was previously an all-time record year for tourism revenue in the Wildwoods.
3. Tourism revenue growth has averaged 10 percent from 2018 to 2023. In 2018, tourism revenue grew by 3 percent over 2017; in 2019, it grew by 9 percent over 2018; 2021 revenue grew by 22 percent over 2019; in 2022, revenue grew by 10 percent over 2021; and in 2023, revenue grew by 5 percent over 2022.
Throughout 2023, the launch of the new marketing and public relations campaign themed "Get Lost In The Woods... The Wildwoods," as well as increased positive awareness, hundreds of free events and festivals, award-winning free beaches and spectacular weather contributed directly to $10.509 million in tourism tax revenue generated in the Wildwoods in 2023 - a 5 percent increase over the past five-year average for both the 2 percent Tourism Tax and the 1.85 percent Tourism Assessment Tax combined.
The growth represents a $513,186 increase over the Wildwoods' 2022 performance, which was a record of $9.995 million.
"The Wildwoods continue to perform well above industry benchmarks for tourism growth each year by developing strategic marketing and public relations initiatives aimed at communicating the major attributes that have made the Wildwoods a truly unique family vacation destination," said Louis Belasco, Executive Director of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA).
The 2023 marketing and public relations campaign brought back the "Wildwood Days" theme song and highlighted that everything vacationers could ever want in a safe, fun vacation experience is all right here on one five-mile island. It's "The Best of the Jersey Shore and A Whole Lot More."
The campaign featured an all-new video, showing highlights of everything there is to do in the Wildwoods, from relaxing on the Wildwoods' spacious, clean and FREE white-sand beaches, to exploring the 38-block world famous Boardwalk with three action-packed amusement piers, featuring over 100 rides and attractions, three beachfront water parks, great shopping, fun carnival games and flashing arcades, plus unique dining and nightlife experiences.
The Wildwoods also offer a wide assortment of accommodations to meet everyone's needs and budget, from beautiful beachfront hotels and motels, to condos, townhouses and many different vacation rentals. The Wildwoods deliver one-of-a-kind value for family vacations at the New Jersey shore. With over 160 events and festivals throughout the year and an abundance of fun things to do, visitors will find something that excites and satisfies everyone in their family in the Wildwoods.
The Wildwoods' 2023 strategy focused on building the emotional relationships people have with the Wildwoods, and on continuing to change outdated public perceptions of the Wildwoods; as well as promoting all the FREE things to see and do, and targeting specific attractors the Wildwoods have to offer such as biking, watersports, beverage tourism, fishing, golf, shopping and more.
The campaign succeeded in two key ways: first, by drawing millions of visitors to safely enjoy vacations in the Wildwoods; and second, by generating widespread media attention. Over the year, the Wildwoods PR campaign garnered extensive coverage across broadcast, digital and print platforms. This proactive strategy in adapting to changing trends and meeting visitor expectations has solidified the Wildwoods as one of New Jersey's top tourism destinations.
The 2023 campaign was conceived and executed by GWTIDA, its PR agency, Susasion Communications Group, and ad agency Aloysius, Butler & Clark.
The Wildwoods' tourism website, WildwoodsNJ.com, also saw positive visitor growth in 2023, with 885,892 unique visitors. The website has grown in popularity, generating 1,588,828 page views in 2023. Social media channels also experienced increases in 2023, with 123,011 Facebook followers, a 2 percent increase over 2022; 52,166 Instagram followers; a 3.7 percent increase over 2022; and 20,488 TikTok views, an 880 percent increase over 2022.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
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