ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The unofficial start of the summer season, Memorial Day Weekend, brought summery weather and masses of tourists to Atlantic City.
According to statistics from South Jersey Transportation Authority, traffic headed toward Atlantic City for the long weekend, Friday through Tuesday, was up by 3.03 percent over the same period last year at the Pleasantville toll plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway (372,698 vehicles this year vs. 361,720 vehicles in 2010).
The city also garnered rave reviews for its refreshed look, new restaurants and non-gaming attractions, setting up a scenario for a stellar summer season.
Business was strong throughout the area, a sentiment voiced by Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment, whose hotel rooms at Caesars, Harrah's Resort, Bally's and Showboat were sold out. "The weather played a major factor in the success of this past weekend, not only here in Atlantic City, but along the New Jersey coastline...theaters were packed with concerts and shows such as Chicago, LeOmbre, Let's Make a Deal, and Snoop Dogg. And with the opening of Luke Palladino's and Dos Caminos at Harrah's Resort, we saw a tremendous response by foodies from all over," Marrandino noted.
John Battista, proprietor of Carisbsrooke Inn in Ventnor, also experienced a sold-out weekend for all three nights of the holiday weekend, even with a 30 percent expansion in available rooms since last summer. "We had demand to fill the new rooms," he said, noting that they've seen a steady revenue increase for the Memorial Day Weekend three years running. More importantly, he notes, the ADR (average daily rate, a standard industry measure), was up 10.4 percent from the same weekend last year. "Not only did we have higher demand, but we obtained more money for each room," Battista explained - a good indication of a rebounding economy.
Non-hotel attractions and food service operations fared well, too. Michele Giampaolo, director of sales and marketing for Formica's Bakery, which supplies sub rolls to neighboring White House Sub Shops, noted that, "Formica's produced enough sub bread that if you were to lay our subs end to end the bread would have made it the length of the Boardwalk twice. Now that's a lot of bread! We definitely put on the miles from last year."
Attractions like Lucy the Elephant in nearby Margate reported substantially higher numbers across the board in sales, tours and the beach grill, while Atlantic City Cruises' Dolphin Watching Adventure was sold out Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with large pods of bottle-nosed dolphin also arriving in time for the holiday fun - they were spotted on each cruise.
In Gardner's Basin, Jenni G's Accessories had a record sales day on Saturday, exceeding last year's July Fourth weekend, and Scales Grill and Deck Bar (formerly Flying Cloud Cafe) and Back Bay Ale House both had record volume and sales during the weekend.
At Steel Pier, families enjoyed rides and helicopter tours, resulting in an 8 percent increase over last year, while Absecon Lighthouse hosted 14 percent more visitors than last Memorial Day Weekend.
Visitors along the Boardwalk enjoyed the sun, the ambience, the activities and the city's cleanliness, which was evident just one month after the establishment of the Atlantic City Tourism District created changes in cleaning schedules and protocols. "We have noticed the change," said Alberto and Wanda Rosa of Buffalo, NY. "I grew up in New Jersey and I love the changes. They have been a positive for Atlantic City."
Several visitors commented on the recently completed Boardwalk facades, which brightened and modernized several blocks of storefronts. "They look very inviting and clean. They make you want to go in and shop," said Mike and Lucille Roscoe of Staten Island, NY. Mike and Julie Blasucci of Woodlyn Park, NJ, agreed, noting, "It looks good with the new store fronts, and we noticed the new signs. It looks very clean."
Ray Faorry of Howell, NJ, noticed the cleanliness of the public restrooms. "These bathrooms are very clean and well maintained. I was impressed with how nice they were."
Atlantic City's visitors came from far and wide, too. Li Zhi Ying of China noted that, "Atlantic City is very clean, the air is fresh and the people are very kind."
Michael Dennis of Bronx, NY, enjoyed the shows and shopping, saying, "Atlantic City is not just for gambling." Lisa Brewer of Flemington, NJ, also enjoyed the non-gaming amenities in Atlantic City, saying, "I love the whole atmosphere of Atlantic City. The beach and Boardwalk are something that other destinations cannot offer. The shopping and dining are exceptional."
An informal poll of Boardwalk strollers during the weekend showed the range of activities visitors happily enjoyed, including dining ("too may restaurants to choose from," according to Loraine of Havertown, PA), beach bars, Steel Pier, the Water Show at the Pier Shops and, "a lot of walking and sightseeing," according to Sue of Washington, D.C.
Atlantic City's appeal is perhaps best summed up by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, quoted in an article in Philadelphia Style magazine shortly after last year's Food and Wine Festival: "There is a ton going on, thousands of people are here on a daily basis, but it still has a small-town charm. When you put the Boardwalk, the beach, casinos and great food all within a mile radius of each other, how can you go wrong?"
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International. For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com. Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ.
SOURCE Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority
