ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The number of tourists who visited New Jersey -- and the amount of money they spent here -- both increased by nearly 6 percent last year.
Figures released Thursday by the state Division of Travel and Tourism showed 75.2 million people visited New Jersey in 2007, up from 71 million in 2006.
Tourism spending rose to $38 billion in 2007, up from $36.6 billion in 2006.
Particularly encouraging was the more than 15 percent increase in the number of overnight stays tourists made last year.
But the number of direct and indirect jobs created by travel and tourism activity in New Jersey fell slightly last year to 466,442.
That still accounts for more than 11 percent of total employment in the state, making tourism New Jersey's third largest industry after pharmaceuticals and chemicals. One out of every nine New Jerseyans owes his or her job to tourism, according to the study.
The 2006 numbers were released last March but were later adjusted to account for more precise counts after they were released, said Jennifer Szczepanski, a spokeswoman for the tourism department. As a result, the 2006 spending figure was decreased from the $37.6 billion figure that was announced at last year's conference.
Tourism generated $7.3 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2007. The division's study calculated that if tourism did not exist, each New Jersey household would pay $1,330 more in taxes to maintain current tax receipts.
Visitors from other states represented 66 percent of tourism expenditures. New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and South Carolina topped the list of out-of-state visitors who made the trek to New Jersey last year.
The study also found that 71 cents of each tourism dollar spent in New Jersey stayed within the state.
'Once visitors experience the Jersey shore with its beautiful beaches and family fun, or enjoy the great entertainment and nightlife offered here, or discover the historic and cultural opportunities that abound, they are pleasantly surprised by the myriad of incredible offerings,' said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the travel & tourism division.
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