Office of Public Relations

Pomona, NJ 08240

 

Atlantic Citys Turnaround Fuels Positive Feelings From Recent Visitors: Stockton Zogby Poll Findings

 

Atlantic Citys Boom Times in Hospitality, Gaming, Retail and Entertainment Leave Recent Visitors Wanting to Go Back

 

 

For Immediate Release

Monday, August 03, 2005

Contact: Tim Kelly

Stockton Public Relations

(609) 652-4950

 

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - The new Atlantic City --with its expanded and refurbished casino hotels, trendy shops lining The Walk, the redeveloped Ocean One Pier and an expanded choice of entertainment and dining optionshas successfully changed the perceptions of New Jersey residents, a Stockton Zogby poll shows.

 

One of the most significant findings of the survey is the fact that Atlantic Citys popularity as a tourism destination is directly tied to how familiar residents were with the new changes in the resort. Among those who have visited Atlantic City in the past year, a full 42 percent would choose Atlantic City as their top destination. The number remains strong at 31 percent for those who have visited Atlantic City within the last three years, however among those respondents who had visited the city no more than five years ago only nine to ten percent identified Atlantic City as their top statewide destination.

 

The Stockton Zogby International survey of 1,001 New Jersey adults was conducted May 17 through 22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. The survey was commissioned by The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey as part of an initiative by the public college to study the states tourism and hospitality industry.

 

The survey finds that three in ten (29 percent) New Jersey adults would prefer visiting Atlantic City versus other New Jersey entertainment venues from a list of popular destinations in the state. So popular is Atlantic City as a destination, in fact, that it leads most demographics in the survey most notably residents of Southern New Jersey, who, at 36 percent, are more likely than others to choose Atlantic City; and women, who are slightly more favorable (30 percent to 28 percent) to the destination than men.

 

Dr. David Carr, Stockton College Provost, said the descending percentages of the respondents selecting Atlantic City as their top choice based on how recently they have seen the city may mean more repeat visits in the future and a continuing growth curve for the region.

 

One only needs to pick up a newspaper to see the rapidly expanding set of choices for gaming, entertainment and dining, or to see a picture of a crowded beach on a holiday weekend to confirm the obvious: Atlantic City is back in a significant way, he said. Overall, this poll result bodes well for the local economy.

 

In addition to Atlantic City, Cape May fared very well in the survey. Cape May placed second overall with 22 percent of adults selecting it as their preferred New Jersey entertainment venue. The Meadowlands was a distant third at six percent, and somewhat surprisingly, didnt do any better among residents in the northern part of the state.