Category
JULY 4TH HOLIDAY HEAT WAVE HEATS UP ATLANTIC CITY BUSINESSES
JULY 4TH HOLIDAY HEAT WAVE
HEATS UP ATLANTIC CITY BUSINESSES
Year-Over-Year Increases Continue
2010 Summer Successes in the City That's "Always Turned On"
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, July 9, 2010 – Hot
temperatures and cloudless skies meant strong business in Atlantic
City during the Fourth of July
holiday weekend. Crowds from as near as New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
and as far as Utah, Iowa and Quebec hit the shore to take advantage of
the destination's free beaches, two fireworks displays and entertainment
including a concert by Platinum-selling artist, Lady Gaga, at Boardwalk
Hall. A number of resorts, restaurants and attractions reported strong
year-over-year increases in visitation and revenue as guests and residents
toasted America's birthday in the city that's "Always Turned On."
Atlantic City hotels showed positive summer
momentum over the holiday with some, including Carisbrooke Inn,
at sold out capacity for the three-night long weekend. Carisbrooke had
a 20 percent increase in revenue over last year. Overall, the hotel has
held strong occupancy this summer, hovering at or near 100 percent. The
Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel was sold out for
three nights, reflecting an eight percent increase over last year. In addition
to a three-night sellout at Resorts Atlantic City, the hotel's popular
buffet saw a 37 percent increase in covers. Courtyard by Marriott
was also up this year versus 2009 with 99 percent occupancy and $10,000
in additional revenue. At Seaview, A Dolce Resort, a staggering
162 percent increase from 2009 resulted in a Saturday night sellout and
99 percent occupancy on Sunday.
Restaurant business was another outstanding
category over Independence Day Weekend, with sales significantly up over
2009. Back Bay Ale House reported 20 percent higher sales than last
year while Il Mulino at Trump Taj Mahal was up 15 percent.
Other restaurant successes were also tallied at Hard Rock Café, Carmine's,
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
"Atlantic City has been busy and bustling
this summer," said Jeff Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention
& Visitors Authority (ACCVA). "It's fantastic to experience
the diversity along the Boardwalk -- families enjoying the Steel Pier amusements,
couples on rolling chair rides and friends hanging on the beach and at
beach bars. When you see the wide-reaching appeal of this destination on
a popular holiday weekend like we did, it speaks volumes about our relevancy
and array of offerings." One of Atlantic City's landmark attractions,
historic Boardwalk Hall, played host to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball
Tour on July 4. The sold out show helped drive increased revenue to transportation
companies such as Joe's Limo, which experienced a 26 percent increase
in sales. In addition, the crowd at Steel Pier grew to 30,000 at
the height of the weekend on July 4.
Other area attractions including Lucy the
Elephant reported a strong weekend in visitation, citing the success
of the new Bella Luna as well as Lucy's Beach Grille. A local cruise company,
Jessie O'Fishing & Cruising Fleet, sold out its July 2nd Fireworks
Cruise in the ocean and also added a successful second cruise in the back
bay for the July Fourth fireworks.
For more information or to book a getaway
to Atlantic City, please visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.
About the Atlantic City Convention &
Visitors Authority
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors
Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating
economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development.
The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention
Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing
organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing
Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International. For
complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.
Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ.
Media can also visit www.louhammond.com
for latest press releases and images. Follow on Twitter
@LouHammondPR.