2022 Shorecast: Strong Summer Predicted For Jersey Shore

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — After a difficult past two years, the Jersey Shore expects a busy 2022 summer, according to reports from the 14th annual Jersey Shorecast.

The tourism and business panel gathers every year to predict what Jersey Shore businesses can expect each summer, sponsored by the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at the Stockton University School of Business,.

Panel members gathered at Stockton University on May 11 to discuss their thoughts on how the Shore will perform in the upcoming summer season.

The panel included:

• Oliver Cooke - associate professor of economics at Stockton University and editor of the South Jersey Economic Review
• Sharon Franz - sales and marketing director at Steel Pier in Atlantic City
• Diane Wieland - director of tourism, Cape May County Department of Tourism
• Jim Ziereis - vice president of sales for Caesars Atlantic City region

The Jersey Shore rebounded in 2021 from 2020, according to the report, but still not reaching pre-pandemic levels. Overall, the panel was optimistic about the upcoming season.

"We are just looking forward to a bang-up summer," Ziereis said during the panel.

"I think the summer of 2022 is going to be another robust and strong shore season," Cooke said, though he noted that it "may not be as robust as last summer." Still, he added that it could be close.

LIGHT Faculty Director Jane Bokunewicz moderated the seminar, and showed data from visitnj.org that showed visitors, spending and the number of jobs in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth and Ocean counties increased dramatically in 2021 from the year prior but did not reach 2019 levels.

However, some concern was expressed over issues such as gas prices, inflation and a potential recession.

"The price of our product has gone up and unfortunately you don’t want to pass that on to the customer, but you have to," Franz said. "There’s no wiggle room. We have to charge what we have to charge."

"We’ve got to have some creative conversations with our groups. Now that they see some of the real, true costs of these items, there’s a little sticker shock," Ziereis said.

Panel members said they would still give the customer the best experience they could.

"One of the messages is that we have to be flexible, across the board," Wieland said. "This is going to affect the daily lives of families."

Still, businesses are recovering from 2020 struggles, with Franz noting that Steel Pier had recovered a hundred percent. Casino revenue is back as well, Ziereis said.

Overall, a great summer is expected, the panel said.

"I think we might be back to pre-pandemic levels," Franz said.