Overall visitor spending increased by $100 million from 2013 for a total of $2 billion in 2014
PRINCETON -- The Princeton region is once again celebrating a record high for tourism.
Overall visitor spending increased by $100 million from 2013 for a total of $2 billion in 2014, marking the fifth straight year of growth, according to the "Economic Impact of Tourism in the Princeton Region" study released by the Princeton Chamber of Commerce this week.
The region includes Mercer County and neighboring towns in Somerset and Middlesex counties.
Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes touted the region's rich history and culture, restaurants and parks as reasons for growth over the past few years.
"The tourism and business in Mercer County area continues to grow and it's an economic driver that we can count on in the future," he said. "Our hotels are filling up, our restaurants are filling up."
RELATED: Tourism in Mercer County accounted for $1.2 billion in 2014
Restaurants, and other food and beverage businesses, accounted for the largest number of the dollars -- $553 million. The study found that Trenton has the greatest amount of restaurants (183) followed by Princeton (66) and Hamilton (54).
Transportation, buoyed by Trenton-Mercer Airport, the Route 1 corridor, Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike, came in second with $413 million.
Visitors also spent $355 million on shopping, $352 million on recreation and entertainment and $340 million on lodging.
The study found that the area's hotels, restaurants, attractions and other tourism-related businesses supported more than 36,000 jobs.
"The tourism industry in the Princeton-Mercer region has so much to be proud of in terms of its contributions to the local economy," said Peter Crowley, the chamber's president and CEO.
The chamber's Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau and the county are also working together to increase tourism marketing efforts. Tuesday's event marked the launch of a new branding campaign: "Picture Yourself Here."
In January, the chamber was awarded a competitive contract by the county to promote tourism and enlisted the help of Trenton-based EFK Group to design the slogan. The contract provides the chamber with $30,000 for 2015, with an option to extend for two more years.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.