Tourism spending in Princeton and Central New Jersey has been rising for the past three years, according to figures released last month by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism.
Tourism expenditures in Mercer County reached an all-time high of $1.11 billion in 2012, approximately a 4 percent increase since 2011, according to a report on “The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey” issued at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism held in Atlantic City in March.
In 2011, spending equaled $1.08 billion, which represented a 10 percent increase in comparison to significantly lower expenditures of $973 million in 2010.
The Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau has received $123,000 in funding for the sixth year in a row to promote tourism in the region, a press release from the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce said.
The CVB is one of Destination Marketing Organizations receiving grants of more than $1.3 million to expand tourism marketing opportunities in New Jersey.
These organizations work with entertainment venues, restaurants, retail shops and hotels to promote a municipality or region’s historical, cultural and artistic attractions.
Chamber Vice President Adam Perle attributed the increase in tourism spending in Princeton to the work of the CVB, the diversification of the town’s attractions, the University and the continued growth of the arts and culture community in Princeton.
Perle also recognized several peaks in the year during which the town sees especially high spikes in tourism, including Communiversity, the Palmer Square JazzFeast and the Pi Day and Einstein celebration on March 14, as well as the University’s orientation, graduation and Reunions.
Beyond prominent community and University events, arts and culture also draw visitors to town. Princeton Tour Company founder Mimi Omiecinski explained that the Princeton Art Museum and McCarter Theatre have been crucial to bringing in people from “several states away” to visit Princeton.
“The art museum has an exquisite collection that is worth coming for from states away, and McCarter Theatre has more world premieres than any other theater,” Omiecinski said.
Omiecinski also noted the “entrepreneurial” work of many small businesses in Princeton that bring in large groups of people, specifically citing Small World Coffee, PJ’s Pancakes and The Bent Spoon as popular attractions.
Omiecinski described the University as a “world-class, globally recognized brand” that attracts many people to Princeton. She explained that many people come to the town to attend a University football game because they find the experience of going to an Ivy League football game to be “charming,” and have the opportunity to “throw a football with a future president” after the game.
Director of Community and Regional Affairs Kristin Appelget said she believes the 2008 recession is a big reason for an increase in tourism spending in Princeton, as there has been more of a tendency to go on a local “staycation” rather than an extended trip. She described Princeton as easily accessible by rail or car with a convenient location in the tri-state area that allows people from nearby states to come for short visits.
Appelget also cited tour buses making layover stops in Princeton as playing a “large role in pure numbers” toward the increases in tourism spending.
With the increase in visitors has also come an increase in attention to the town’s public appearance and to the means of providing information to visitors. At a town Council meeting on April 8, the Chamber received approval to upgrade the kiosk at the corner of Nassau and Witherspoon Streets in Palmer Square — one of the two downtown kiosks — with the goal to increase public posting area.
The kiosks provide a venue for advertisement and a way to provide information to tourists and visitors. Perle described the current state of the kiosks as “unsightly,” and said he looks forward to the improvements that will be made with the renovation.
The new kiosk design is based on feedback from Council members, the public, local businesses and nonprofits. It will feature 12 panels, which will increase the area available for public posting of advertisements in addition to providing municipal information and marketing space for local businesses. The Council decided to renovate one kiosk at the present time to see how the community responds to the improvements before deciding whether to redo the other.
At last Monday’s Council meeting, Appelget said the University supports the Chamber’s proposal for renovation of the kiosks, saying, “We certainly think it is time for them to be refreshed.”
Appelget added that she believes it is very important for the new kiosks to allow for free postings of advertisements by the public as well as providing a community map, which she explained the University has been working to develop with the CVB.
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