For New Jerseyans
You from Jersey? I’m from Jersey too. What exit?
by Giulia Iannitelli
When I went to college one of my roommates was from south Jersey. One day she told me south Jersey wanted to split from north Jersey because north Jersey is just factories and smoke stacks. I was shocked and asked her what on earth she was talking about. I described to her where I grew up, which could not be more rural. I grew up in Warren County New Jersey, which boarders the Delaware River. Growing up I could see the homes of a total of three neighbors. My brothers and sister and I spent 95% of our summertime outdoors. We used to cut through the woods to go to the creek that ran behind our house to play. Until my mom realized it was awfully quiet outside and discovered we were nowhere to be seen. She would scream for us at the top of her lungs naming us one by one until we scrambled home. So, smoke stack? Smog? I knew nothing of that growing up. Now 20 years later I continue to discover all there is to see and do and LIKE about New Jersey.
A word about Tourism In New Jersey, from one New Jerseyan to another.
If you have a similar story to mine, I urge you to consider the following. Share the wonderful things there are to see and do in our state with others. Why is this important? We simply cannot afford not to. Especially in these extremely difficult times it is important to support an industry that supports over half of million New Jersey tourism jobs. Tourism isn’t a luxury industry. It is an industry that touches many hard working middle and lower income people. College students, single moms working more than one job, a senior needing supplemental income to keep ahead. From those that wait or bus your table at a restaurant to the downtown shop owner that employs a part time shop keeper or book keeper, tourism contributes on many levels to the New Jersey economy. This translates into sales tax, employment tax and income tax that goes into the coffers. When these people don’t work, rather than contributing to the coffers they are draining the coffers by collecting unemployment taxes.
Some ways to support Tourism, when possible.
Sign up for Enews from some Destination Marketing Organizations listed below. All over New Jersey Destination Marketing Organizations are strengthening promotions in their area of New Jersey. This keeps you in touch with local happenings, many of which are affordable family events. Budget money for “things to do” with your kids as opposed to “things to purchase that will end up in next years yard sale”. Spend quality time together and create lasting memories with your kids for years to come. Here are a few of my favorite links chock full of things to do.
Morris County Tourism Bureau www.morristourism.org
Somerset County Business Partnership www.visitsomersetnj.org
Meadowlands Liberty Convention & Visitors Bureau www.mlcvb.com
Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB www.visitprinceton.org
Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau www.GoNewark.com
Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore DMO www.visitlbiregion.com
Southern Shore Region DMO www.njsouthernshore.com
Jersey Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitthejerseyshore.com
Try to stay within New Jersey as much as possible. Choose a show at a local theatre and a restaurant within our boarders.
Shop the local downtowns when practical.
Buy Fresh, Buy Local produce when in season. Look for restaurants that use Jersey Fresh ingredients.
When you visit a place that had outstanding service, philosophy and staff, post a review on their facebook page or a travel review site.
As the New Jersey Restaurant Association (NJRA) reminds us to “Dine Out Often. You Deserve It”. As the website states “Established in 1942, the New Jersey Restaurant Association (NJRA) has become an essential ingredient for successful and professional restaurants in New Jersey through its representation and education of the Garden State's 23,000 eating and drinking establishments generating $11.8 billion in annual sales and employing over 300,000 people making it the State's largest private sector employer. Eating and drinking establishments, vendors, non-profits, schools and students are eligible for membership.”
Putting It Into Perspective
Here is a great illustration and article about how vital the tourism industry is to New Jersey's economy. http://blog.aboutnewjersey.com/2008/05/26/nj-tourism-and-you-perfect-together/
