Wildwoods tourism officials report record growth in 2022

Apparently, vacationers really do “Love Those Wildwood Days.” During the 2022 tourism season, the beach resort destination posted better-than-expected results, according to the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA).

In a recent announcement, the tourism marketing organization for the Borough of Wildwood Crest, the City of Wildwood and the City of North Wildwood reported record revenue gains in several key categories last summer, including:

• A 24% increase in visitor spending on lodging and prepared food and beverage — higher than the five-year average tourism revenues (excluding 2020 season numbers).
• A 9% uptick in spending on lodging, prepared food and beverage in 2022 over 2021, which was previously a record year.

According to GWTIDA, the launch of its “Love Those Wildwood Days” campaign to attract tourists, coupled with free events and festivals, free beaches and favorable weather, contributed to $9.99 million in tourism tax revenue generated in the Wildwoods in 2022.

That figure marks a 38% increase over the past five-year average for both the 2% Tourism Tax and the 1.85% Tourism Assessment combined, the organization said. It also represents a $1 million increase over the Wildwoods’ 2021 results, which were a record $8.9 million, according to GWTIDA.

Commenting on the 2022 season, GWTIDA Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer John Siciliano said, “The Wildwoods continue to perform well above industry benchmarks for tourism growth each year by developing strategic marketing and public relations initiatives aimed at communicating the major attributes that have made the Wildwoods a truly unique family vacation destination.”

The “Love Those Wildwood Days” campaign – complete with a theme song and video highlighting everything vacationers can do in the Wildwoods, from the beaches to the boardwalk to shopping to dining – was recognized by the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA) in December 2022 with a New Jersey Tourism Excellence Award.

The creative forces behind the marketing push – GWTIDA, public relations agency Suasion Communications Group, and advertising agency Aloysius, Butler & Clark – also took home an award.