Mercer Tourism Expenditures Top $1 Billion in '11

Tourism expenditures in Mercer County were $1.08 billion in 2011, an all-time high, according to the Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, a program of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

That figure is a 10 percent increase over 2010’s expenditure, according to the State Division of Travel and Tourism's recent release of the 2011 Economic Impact Study of Tourism in New Jersey. 

“Our primary focus continues to be showcasing the region as a destination for both the leisure and business travelers,” said Lori Rabon, chairwoman of the Vistor's Bureau steering committee.

Adam Perle, vice president of the PRCC, said tourism is an essential contributor to economic development in Princeton, Mercer County and Central New Jersey.

“The Princeton Region welcomes nearly two million visitors each year, which positively impacts the collection of sales and occupancy taxes,” Perle said. “In New Jersey, tourism is the third-largest business sector and employs one of every 10 residents.”

Jack Morrison, president of JM Group, which includes Nassau Street Seafood, Blue Point Grill, Witherspoon Grill and the Princeton Farmers’ Market, said there's a direct correlation between business growth and tourism growth.

“These two goals, which we strive to fulfill within our target location in the Princeton Region, are undeniably linked together,” Morrison said. 

The PRCVB aims to increase the economic impact of tourism in the area by marketing the Princeton Region as a vibrant destination for all travelers.

Coby Green-Rifkin, director of marketing at Grounds for Sculpture, said the PRCVB is a strong voice for their continued success.

“The PRCVB is always seeking opportunities for us to promote our services to the region’s travelers and visitors,” Green-Rifkin said. “These opportunities have helped us extend our outreach in new and exciting ways, and we are pleased to have such a dedicated and proactive destination marketing organization supporting us.”

The Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau is the destination marketing organization for an 18-municipality area that includes of all of Mercer County as well as parts of Middlesex and Somerset County.

Herbert K. Ames, president of the Devin Group and member of the PRCC Board of Directors, says that the PRCVB makes a broad effort to reach out to regional partners.

“We actively work to create alliances with various regional organizations, like the County of Mercer, Princeton Merchants Association, Trenton Downtown Association and local colleges and universities to expand our initiatives with tourism and economic growth” Ames said.

The Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1960, has nearly 900 members and more than 1,700 individual business contacts.

For more information about the PRCC or PRCVB, please visit www.princetonchamber.org or call President & CEO Peter Crowley at (609) 924-1776.